ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

British Produce

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the proportion of  (a) chicken,  (b) eggs,  (c) fish and  (d) pork consumed in the United Kingdom which was produced by British farmers in each year between 2000 and 2005.

Barry Gardiner: holding answer 23 November 2006
	UK production of poultry meat, eggs and pork as a percentage of total new supply for use in the UK is shown in the following table. Equivalent figures for fish are not readily available.
	
		
			  Table 1: UK Production as a percentage of total new supply for use in the UK 
			  Units: percentage 
			   2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 Poultry 89 91 91 91 88 90 
			 Eggs 91 89 87 84 85 87 
			 Pork 92 73 73 62 63 62 
			  Source: Agriculture in the United Kingdom 2005, Defra

British Waterways

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations he has received from boating organisations on the proposed reduction in British Waterways' grant.

Barry Gardiner: The Government have received representations from a wide range of hon. Members and key stakeholders, including boating organisations, since announcing the budget reductions for British Waterways for 2006-07. The representations have taken the form of meetings, correspondence and parliamentary questions.

Domestic Rubbish

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many fixed penalties were issued for  (a) putting domestic rubbish in the wrong container,  (b) leaving domestic rubbish out on the wrong day and  (c) overfilling a wheelie bin with domestic rubbish in the last year for which figures are available.

Ben Bradshaw: Fixed penalty notices (FPN) for offences relating to waste receptacles under sections 46 and 47 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 were introduced on the 6 April 2006, via the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act.
	FPN statistics are collected and reported on an annual basis. Local authorities will have until the end of June 2007 to return statistics to DEFRA for FPNs issued between April 2006 and March 2007. The statistics will then be released once they have been collated.

Greyhound Racing

John MacDougall: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when his Department will implement regulations for greyhound racing.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government have made a firm commitment to introduce regulations to protect the welfare of racing greyhounds in England by 2008, to come into force in 2009.

Landfill

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding the Government have provided to local authorities to compensate for higher rates of landfill tax and the landfill tax escalator under the New Burdens Principle.

Ben Bradshaw: The landfill tax escalator is revenue neutral to local government as a whole, since the revenue is returned through central Government grant. During Spending Reviews, the Government makes an assessment of the cost to local government of delivering services and targets, including the tax burden, and allocates funding accordingly. Local government is therefore already funded to meet its landfill tax liabilities.

Mislabelling of Eggs

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when his Department first became aware of the alleged fraud on the mislabelling of eggs.

Barry Gardiner: I cannot comment on the specifics of on-going criminal investigations. Defra's recent press release was issued when information suggested to us that the level of possible illegal marketing of eggs was such that the public and others with an interest should be informed. We took that action to allow those concerned in the marketing of eggs to satisfy themselves that consumers were not being misled by the labelling on the product they were buying.

Organophosphates

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's approach to organophosphates.

Ben Bradshaw: Organophosphates (OPs) are used in a variety of ways and provide a range of benefits. However, they are hazardous chemicals and the Government use the latest scientific advice to provide information on how OP products can be used safely.
	Government policy on OPs is developed and coordinated through the Official Group on Organophosphates (OGOP), which was set up in 1997 to provide a liaison forum for Government Departments and agencies. OGOP usually meets on an annual basis and is attended by officials from Defra, Ministry of Defence, Health and Safety Executive and Department of Health and is chaired by the Chief Veterinary Officer.
	The terms of reference of OGOP are to:
	monitor the processes by which information about OP products is shared between the Government Departments involved, with the aim of ensuring effective coordination; and advise whether any changes in procedure are needed;
	draw together all scientific evidence from UK and international sources relevant to the policy issues to which OP products give rise;
	advise whether there are any gaps in the current state of scientific knowledge which should be remedied, and if so to propose how the new work might be commissioned;
	examine the procedures by which OP products are licensed for different purposes; identify any variations, and advise whether procedures should be changed;
	take stock of other questions, cutting across departmental boundaries, as Ministers may refer to them from time to time; with the aim of ensuring that all issues relevant to policy are examined by the appropriate experts and the results or conclusions made available to all Departments concerned.

Recycling

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures the Government have taken to encourage local authorities to recycle commercial waste; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Action to encourage recycling and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill is driven by regional and local strategies and supported by nationally funded programmes.
	Waste Strategy 2000 set a target to reduce the amount of commercial and industrial waste going to landfill to 85 per cent. of that landfilled in 1998, by 2005. On the basis of the latest figures, from 2002, we expect to have met this target.
	Businesses already have a strong financial incentive to reuse or recycle their waste, and the continued increase in the rate of Landfill Tax (rising by 3 per tonne per year from 2005-06, until it reaches 35 per tonne in the medium to long term) is another important instrument in reducing our reliance on landfill and moving to more sustainable waste management options.
	Revenue from the landfill tax escalator is in turn being recycled to businesses through the Business Resource Efficiency and Waste (BREW) Programme, which is returning £284 million to businesses over three years through resource efficiency and waste minimisation programmes, providing support and advice to businesses that wish to improve their resource efficiency.
	In 2006-07, BREW has been funding a pilot project to create a BREW Centre for local authorities, based at Oxfordshire County Council, which provides information, guidance, advice and good practice examples on how local authorities can support local business on resource efficiency and waste management.
	The Review of England's Waste Strategy consultation document (published in February this year) asked for views on the proposed wider strategic role for local authorities on business waste and resources and on whether there should be new requirements for recycling of commercial waste on local authorities and/or business. In light of the consultation responses and progress of the BREW pilot mentioned, we are developing proposals on the role of local authorities in commercial waste. We are aiming to publish the revised Waste Strategy in the new year.

Recycling

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will provide Shrewsbury borough council with funding to provide extra recycling facilities.

Ben Bradshaw: Under the Waste Performance and Efficiency Grant (WPEG), Shrewsbury and Atcham borough council have been awarded £190,897.77 over the three year period from 2005 to 2008; £30,104.64 in 2005-06, £78,533.31 in 2006-07 and £82,259.82 in 2007-08. The WPEG is a targeted grant which aims to help increase recycling and the diversion of waste from landfill. The funding stream will ensure a joined-up approach to delivering additional funding from central government to local authorities for improved recycling and composting services. The WPEG is an un-ring fenced grant—how the funds are managed is the responsibility of each individual authority and no audit on use of the funds will take place.
	A breakdown of funding awarded to the Council since 2002 to help improve recycling performance is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Fund  Award (£)  Scheme description  Start date  End date 
			 National Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund (Round 1) 63,900 Collection of paper from schools for recycling 1 April 2002 31 March 2003 
			 Local Authority Support Unit Direct Consultancy Support 32,585 Shropshire Strategy Review/Increasing Commercial Waste Recycling 1 April 2004 31 March 2005 
			 Local Authority Support Unit Direct Consultancy Support 29,100 Bulky Waste Collection Study 1 April 2004 31 March 2005 
			 Local Authority Support Unit Direct Consultancy Support 80,575 Joint MWMS Review and Sustainability Appraisal 1 April 2005 31 March 2006 
			 Waste Performance and Efficiency Grant 30,105 Capital: £16,933.86 Revenue: £13,170.78 1 April 2005 31 March 2006 
		
	
	Decisions on the Grant allocations for 2008-09 and beyond will be considered in the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review.

Research Studies

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research studies were commissioned by his Department in each of the last five years where a decision was taken not to publish the results of the research after it was completed.

Ben Bradshaw: Out of a total of 2,272 research projects commissioned during the period 2002-06, 43 reports were withheld from publication. The breakdown of the number not published in each year against the reasons given for non publication are given in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of reports not published by year and reason between 2002-06 
			  Reason  2002  2003  2004  2005  2005 
			 Sensitive material  1 1 2 1 
			 Contains personal information 3 3 1 1 2 
			 Contains commercial value 1 1  1  
			 No specific reason given 7 3 6 5 4

Rural Payments Agency

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how much was spent  (a) in total and  (b) per head on staff training at the Rural Payments Agency in each year from 2001-02 to 2006-07, broken down by (i) permanent and (ii) agency staff; and what the projected figures are for 2007-08;
	(2)  how many hours of staff training were undertaken  (a) in total and  (b) per head by (i) permanent and (ii) agency staff at the Rural Payments Agency in each year from 2001-02 to 2006-07.

Barry Gardiner: The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) allocates an equal proportion of training time to both permanent staff and agency workers to meet scheme operational requirements. Training is provided to equip staff with the skills required to perform their duties to meet the RPA's key business targets.
	The following table sets out the average time spent on formal operational training time per head and in total for each financial year:
	
		
			   Hours per head  Total staff trained  Total hours 
			 2001-02 17.5 484 8,470 
			 2002-03 21 250 5,250 
			 2003-04 21 142 2,982 
			 2004-05 35 2,600 91,000 
			 2005-06 35 2,000 70,000 
			 2006-07 15 1,800 27,000 
		
	
	The following table sets out the average costs of formal operational training per head and in total for each financial year:
	
		
			  £ 
			   Total operational training expenditure per head  Total expenditure 
			 2001-02 115 50,820 
			 2002-03 161 37,750 
			 2003-04 178 23,572 
			 2004-05 407 730,600 
			 2005-06 294 582,000 
			 2006-07 132 230,400 
		
	
	New permanent management staff spent an average of 70 hours per head on management related training across the period 2001-02 to 2006-07. 70 permanent middle managers spent an average of 46 hours per head participating in the RPA's Leadership Development Programme between 2003-04 and 2006-07 at a total cost of circa £600,000 and average £8,570 per head.
	In addition to formal training, RPA staff receive varying amounts of training 'at the desk', which as an ongoing process is dependant on individual learning needs and changes in operational requirements. The time spent and expenditure on this informal training cannot be quantified, without incurring disproportionate costs.
	In 2007-08, RPA will make similar financial provision to that spent in 2006-07 on the training of permanent staff and agency temporary workers. Budgetary increases will also be made as required to take account of changes in operational and system requirements that may occur during the period. A project has also been initiated to review the level and adequacy of training for the future delivery of the Single Payment Scheme (SPS). The outcome of this review may result in further increases in the provision and scope of operational training for SPS.

Rural Payments Agency

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many penalties have resulted from cross-compliance inspections of  (a) single farm payment claim and  (b) a property;
	(2)  how many claims for single farm payment have been rejected following cross-compliance inspections.

Barry Gardiner: For the 2005 scheme year, 243 full cross-compliance inspections were carried out in England. Of these RPA have applied a financial penalty to 91 Single Payment Scheme (SPS) claimants.
	In one case, the full SPS claim was rejected for failing to allow a cross-compliance inspection to take place on the holding.

Rural Payments Agency

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to ensure that the single farm payment for the 2007-08 financial year is paid on time.

Barry Gardiner: The Minister of State (Lords) is working closely with the new management team at the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) to ensure that the lessons from the 2005 and 2006 scheme years are properly addressed.
	The RPA has implemented a series of initiatives in consultation with key stakeholder groups to simplify and streamline the application process and is targeting those areas that caused problems in the first two years of the scheme.
	In the meantime and in accordance with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's statement of 7 November the RPA is seeking to make a payment to all those 2006 scheme year claimants due to receive at least €1000 as early as possible in the claim payment window.

Snares

John MacDougall: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when his Department will prohibit the use of all snares to trap animals.

Barry Gardiner: The Government consider that, where there is a need for wildlife management, the proper use of snares is one of a range of control methods. Used according to best practice, snares can be an effective and practical means of wildlife management and are needed where other forms of pest control are ineffective or impractical. In these circumstances, snares restrain rather than kill and may prove to be more humane than other methods. If snares were to be banned entirely it might encourage the use of more dangerous and illegal alternatives such as poisons.
	The Government are committed to working to improve the legal use of snares. Following an informal consultation on snares and traps and their use, carried out in 2003, Defra convened an independent snares working group chaired by the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare. The Group was given a remit of producing a good practice guide and advising Defra on the next steps on improving the use of snares. On 19 October 2005, we published the Group's report, together with the Defra Snares Action Plan and the Defra Code of Good Practice on the use of Snares in Fox and Rabbit Control in England. These documents are available on the Defra website at:
	http://www.Defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/vertebrates/snares/index.htm

Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions his Department has had with  (a) the European Commission and  (b) member states of the European Union on amending European Union Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy regulations; and when these discussions took place.

Ben Bradshaw: Defra participates in regular meetings with the European Commission and other member states through the Commission's Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE) Working Group, which meets approximately every two months, and through the Commission's Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH), which meets approximately every two weeks. Amendments to the annexes of European Union (EU) TSE Regulations have been discussed frequently, especially prior to the decision to lift the UK export ban and in the context of adjusting the surveillance and eradication programmes for TSEs in sheep.
	At council level, chief veterinary officers of EU member states meet monthly and have discussed TSEs. Last year and earlier this year, there were also regular Council Working Group meetings to discuss both the Commission's TSE Roadmap and a regulation amending the main part of the EU TSE Regulations (Explanatory Memorandum 15874/04). The amending regulation was agreed by the Council on 23 November.

Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans there are to amend European Union Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy regulations on  (a) the requirement to cull suspect animals and  (b) holding restrictions for suspect animals.

Ben Bradshaw: There are no plans to amend the regulations along these lines.

Waste Management

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action he has taken to ensure that best practice in terms of dealing with waste disposal and recycling is shared between local authorities.

Ben Bradshaw: The Defra Waste Implementation Programme's Local Authority Support Unit (LASU) provides direct support and information to local authorities on waste disposal and recycling. The unit assists with the removal of barriers to improved waste performance and provides information on other agencies and programmes that offer relevant support. This good practice and guidance on waste management issues is shared to local authorities through the LASU website (http://lasupport.defra.gov.uk/). In addition, a Waste CD ROM containing good practice, toolkits, guidance, and further information was produced by LASU and made available to all local authorities this year.
	The Waste and Resources Action Programme's (WRAP) Recycling and Organics Technical Advisory Team (ROTATE) was launched in June 2004 as an addition to WRAP's existing programmes for local authorities. It is a free advisory service that provides hands-on advice and best practice to local authorities in England and Northern Ireland on their collection programmes for dry recyclables and organic waste. The service also offers best practice advice on local communications and awareness programmes.
	WRAP provides toolkits and best practice guides for local authorities. These collate results of local authority-related studies, which enables the sharing of best practice. WRAP will also be running food waste collection pilots to research the most effective way to divert food waste from landfill. The research results will be shared with all local authorities.

Whitsand Bay

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  whether he has applied Principle 15 of the Rio Declaration to the disposal of dredged materials at Whitsand Bay; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what policies his Department operates on the disposal of dredged materials;
	(3)  how many tonnes of dredged material were disposed in and around Whitsand Bay in each year since 1997; how much such material he expects to be disposed of there in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what licences to dispose of dredged material in Whitsand Bay have been issued;
	(5)  if he will make a statement on the disposal of dredged materials in Whitsand Bay;
	(6)  what the origin is of the dredged material for which a licence has been issued for disposal in Whitsand Bay.

Ben Bradshaw: The Rame Head disposal site has received dredged material from the Plymouth area for over 100 years. A disposal licence under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 (FEPA) is required prior to any disposal taking place. No licence would be issued until the impact of disposing of the material had been fully assessed. The decision would account for Principle 15 of the Rio Declaration on the precautionary principle.
	The majority of the dredged material disposed of at Rame Head is sourced from the Devonport Naval Base on the River Tamar. However, Cattewater Harbour and ABP Millbay Docks and Lincombe Boatyard have also used the site. The following tables show the licences issued since 1997 and the amounts disposed of to the disposal site. Further historical information is available on request.
	The weight of evidence currently to hand supports the view that the continued disposal of dredged material to the Rame Head site in Whitsand Bay is an environmentally acceptable one, subject to licence conditions and oversight of the activities.
	
		
			  Table 1: Licences issued for the disposal of dredged material at the Rame Head disposal site 
			  Year issued  Licence Id  DC file reference  Licensee 
			 1997 5040/97/0 5040 Maunsell Maritime 
			 1997 5323/97/0 5323 Defence Estates 
			 1997 5367/97/0 5367 Ministry of Defence 
			 1999 30522/99/0 5423 Cattewater Harbour Commissioners 
			 1999 30711/99/0 5895 Stride Management Ltd. 
			 2000 30425/00/0 5117 Jacobs Babtie (Exeter) 
			 2000 30711/00/0 5895 Stride Management Ltd. 
			 2000 30820/00/0 5962 Marina Developments Ltd. 
			 2000 31023/00/0 5423 Cattewater Harbour Commissioners 
			 2001 30425/01/0 5117 Jacobs Babtie (Exeter) 
			 2001 31023/01/0 5423 Cattewater Harbour Commissioners 
			 2001 31161/01/0 6227 Base Services Department 
			 2001 31381/01/0 6445 Jacobs Babtie (Exeter) 
			 2002 31831/02/0 6656 Royal National Lifeboat Institution 
			 2002 31635/02/0 5423 Cattewater Harbour Commissioners 
			 2003 31831/03/0 6656 Royal National Lifeboat Institution 
			 2003 31958/03/0 6729 Associated British Ports 
			 2003 32032/03/0 6763 Defence Estates 
			 2003 32243/03/0 5423 Cattewater Harbour Commissioners 
			 2003 31635/03/0 5423 Cattewater Harbour Commissioners 
			 2004 31958/04/0 6729 Associated British Ports 
			 2004 32032/04/0 6763 Defence Estates 
			 2004 32323/04/0 6988 Defence Estates 
			 2004 32433/04/0 7066 Westminster Dredging Co. Ltd. 
			 2005 31868/05/0 6676 Winters Marine Ltd. 
			 2005 32433/05/0 7066 Westminster Dredging Co. Ltd. 
			 2006 33271/06/0 7778 Cattewater Harbour Commissioners 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Summary of disposal at Rame Head, giving total tonnages, wet weight 
			   Total disposal 
			 1997 327,364 
			 1998 75,880 
			 1999 64,031 
			 2000 114,859 
			 2001 1,095,071 
			 2002 11,984 
			 2003 94,280 
			 2004 241,704 
			 2005 140,321 
			 2006 (1)— 
			 (1 )None reported.  Source:  Defra Marine Consent Management System (MCMS) and double-checked against the OSPAR disposal returns.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Official Report

Peter Bone: To ask the Leader of the House if he will bring forward proposals for a new section of the  Official Report to set out Ministers' corrections to inaccurate statements made in the House.

Jack Straw: The issue of how best to deal with corrections to Ministers' statements in  Hansard (other than minor corrections of the kind which apply to all Members' speeches and for which there is a long established procedure) has been raised with my Office by hon. Members and by the Procedure Committee. There are a variety of ways in which inadvertent errors can be corrected which are appropriate for different circumstances, including written ministerial statements, pursuant questions or answers, and letters to hon. Members with copies placed in the Library.
	However, these methods do not all involve the terms of the correction appearing in  Hansard and there is no indication in the bound volume or web version of  Hansard at the place of the original error that there has been a subsequent correction. I am in discussion with the Editor of  Hansard as to how these issues can be addressed, taking into account technical and cost issues. The suggestion put forward by the hon. Member is one possible approach, to which I am giving active consideration.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Energy Costs

Sharon Hodgson: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what the House's  (a) heating and  (b) lighting bills were in 2005-06; what assessment the Commission has made of the feasibility of introducing smart systems to reduce energy consumption; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: The information requested is as follows.
	 (a) The House's gas costs in 2005-06 for heating and hot water, including kitchens, were £450,576. The bill for gas heating alone is not known as it is not separately metered.
	 (b) The House's total electricity costs in 2005-06 were £1,413,393. The bill for electrical lighting alone is not known as it is not separately metered.
	Plans are being prepared for purchasing specialist energy monitoring and targeting software and installing it such that it would gather data automatically from all the mains energy and water meters and the major sub-meters.
	Automating both the meter reading and the meter data analysis would effectively provide continuous 'real time' monitoring of energy and water consumptions and costs, enable exceptional consumptions to be automatically identified and reported and thereby allow rapid action to be taken to investigate and remedy wastage.

State Opening

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what the cost was of the State Opening of Parliament 2006, broken down by  (a) building maintenance,  (b) extra security expense and  (c) other costs; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Harvey: The cost of State Opening of Parliament was as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
			   Commons  Lords  Total 
			  (a) Maintenance
			 Television lighting 9,000 6,000 15,000 
			 Transportation 9,000 6,000 15,000 
			 Porterage 5,160 3,440 8,600 
			 Carpets 8,100 5,400 13,500 
			 External awning 7,620 5,080 12,700 
			 General Builders 17,580 11,720 29,300 
			 Decorations 5,700 3,800 9,500 
			 Furnishing hire 4,020 2,680 6,700 
			 External furniture removal 10,200 6,800 17,000 
			 Other 7,020 4,680 11,700 
			 Total 83,400 55,600 139,000 
			  (b) Extra Security Expense
			 Security staff overtime 9,660 4,340 14,000 
			  (c) Other
			 Security blockers removal 26,910 17,940 44,850 
			 Uniforms 840 560 1,400 
			 Total 27,750 18,500 46,250 
			  Totals (a), (b) and (c) 119,970 77,880 197,850

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Care Leavers

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what supported housing is available for care leavers; and if he will make a statement.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000, which commenced in October 2001, requires that all local authorities must provide or maintain care leavers under the age of 18 in "suitable accommodation". Like any other services for care leavers, the provision of suitable accommodation should be based on an assessment of individual need, taking into account, their health, including any disabilities; their education and training needs; and the suitability of any accommodation provider. Once care leavers reach 18, then they are entitled to have access to the same mainstream services as other young people, including housing services. As their responsible authority has continuing duties to help them plan and to support them, it will be their personal adviser's role to assist them to access the available housing that will be the most appropriate to their circumstances, which in some cases may well involve housing services that offer their residents personal and practical support.
	The requirements set out in Section 10 of the Children Act 2004 provide the opportunity to enable improved joint planning to better meet the housing needs of children and vulnerable groups of young people, including, care leavers. The section requires each children's services authority to put in place arrangements to promote co-operation amongst those who engage in activities in relation to children and young people, and gives key strategic partners, including housing authorities, a duty to take part.

Child Care

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations he has received on the PricewaterhouseCooper's report commissioned by his Department on the State of the Childcare Market; and what action has been taken to implement its recommendations.

Beverley Hughes: The DfES commissioned PricewaterhouseCooper to deliver a report "The Childcare Market" in February 2006, which was published on the DfES website on 31 August 2006 as part of a series of five such report, including an over-view report.
	A covering note published alongside the report and other communications to key stakeholders such as local authorities, Government Offices, CBI and members of the Department's Third Sector Forum invited comments on the report to a dedicated e-mail box by 30 November 2006.
	The Department will be reviewing all comments on the report in December and will be taking these into account in the further development of the commissioning and market management strategy in children's services.

Child Database

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the expected error rate is for the Child Database.

Beverley Hughes: The information sharing index will aid more effective prevention and early intervention as a tool to support practitioners to improve outcomes for children, and is therefore a key element of the Every Child Matters programme. The index will hold only basic information about children and young people such as name, address, gender, date of birth, an identifying number, and contact details for services working with them.
	The Information Sharing Index (England) Regulations 2006 came into effect on 7 April 2006. They provided for data matching trials to take place, as essential initial work in the development and implementation of the index.
	The aim was to examine a sample of records from the main data sources, to enable an assessment of how comprehensively each covers the population of children, which is the most reliable source of accurate and up-to-date information for each data item, and assess how disparities in the ways in which data sources record each item can most efficiently be overcome.
	The trials were intended to provide an early indication of the expected level of data matching for the full national index. Samples of basic identifying information were supplied from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Department of Health (DH), the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and nine local authorities. For records where it was possible to compare data held about a child by more than one source (about 90 per cent. of all records examined) there was sufficient correspondence to be very confident that the data was correct. For the remaining information, where it was not possible to compare the information, the index project will provide resources to investigate any discrepancies and correct them, leading to a high level of confidence in the index data. This supports the strategy underpinning the index business case of using data from a number of existing national and local sources.
	The data matching trials report will shortly be made available on the Every Child Matters website. My officials will send the hon. Member a copy and place copies in the House Library.

Children's Centres

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the Government's total  (a) financial and  (b) in kind contribution has been to the new Parkfield children's centre in West Hendon; what estimate he has made of the contribution of the London borough of Barnet to the centre; what services the centre will provide; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: Sure Start Children's Centres programme is making real progress. There are currently 1,037 children's centres designated, reaching around 800,000 children and their families. Our aim is that there will be around 3,500 Sure Start Centres serving every community by 2010, reaching around 2.9 million children under five.
	Information provided to the DfES by Barnet borough council shows that the total capital cost of building the Parkfield Sure Start Centre was £1,453,661. Of this total, £1 million was from DfES and £453,661 from Barnet borough council. In addition, Barnet council has been allocated a total of £8,418,107 General Sure Start Grant revenue over the same period to support the delivery of our 10 year strategy for child care. Provided they meet their targets, Barnet have been given flexibility on how the funding is apportioned to individual programmes. The Department do not collect data on revenue allocation per centre.
	Parkfield Sure Start Centre will provide a full range of Sure Start services including; good quality early learning combined with full day care provision for children; good quality teacher input to lead the development of learning within the centre. Services provided will also include parental outreach, family support services; a base for a childminder network; child and family health services (including ante-natal); support for children and parents with special needs. The centre will make effective links with Jobcentre Plus, local training providers and further and higher education institutions.

Children's Information Sharing Index

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress he has made in developing the proposals for the children's information sharing index; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The information sharing index will aid more effective prevention and early intervention as a tool to support practitioners to improve outcomes for children, and is therefore a key element of the Every Child Matters programme.
	On 8 December 2005, the Government announced their intention to implement a national information sharing index across all 150 local authorities in England by the end of 2008. The Government are committing substantial resources to implement the index—one-off implementation costs will total £224 million over the next three years, and £41 million per year thereafter to cover operating costs, most of which will pay for the additional staff needed to ensure the on-going security, accuracy and audit of the index. My Department has made provision to fund both set-up and operating costs, so that the costs to local authorities will not result in a pressure on the council tax.
	We have now entered the detailed design and pre-deployment phase of the index. To support this, details of the £12 million index local authority funding for 2006-07 were announced in April 2006. In October, a further funding allocation, totalling £29.8 million, was announced, covering the period 2007-08. This funding is being made available to enable local authorities to undertake necessary work in respect of readiness assessment and local pre-deployment work to prepare for the national implementation of the index. We have also developed an implementation toolkit to provide practical support for local authorities during this phase.
	Additional funding of £4.14 million is being provided in the 2007-08 allocation to the first wave of 17 'early adopter' local authorities, based in the North West.
	Earlier this year, we conducted data matching trials under the Information Sharing Index (England) Regulations 2006. The trials were intended to provide an early indication of the expected level of data matching for the full national Index. Samples of basic identifying information were supplied from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Department of Health (DH), the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and nine local authorities. The results were in line with expectations and support the strategy underpinning the index business case of using data from a number of existing national and local sources.
	Currently, we are consulting on draft affirmative resolution regulations to be made under section 12 of the Children Act 2004, which will govern the operation of the index. Consultation closes on 14 December. Subject to the will of Parliament, we expect the regulations to be in force by spring 2007. Also in spring 2007 we will publish for public consultation, statutory guidance, which will support operators and users of the index users in exercising their statutory duties in relation to the index.
	Further milestones are:
	From late spring or early summer of 2007, we will have created initial records for each child in England, drawn from key national data sources;
	The first index release, which will include those initial records, will be deployed to the first wave of early adopter local authorities by the summer of 2007.
	The index will then be rolled out progressively so that, by the end of 2008, it will be available in all local authorities in England.
	There have been some inaccurate and misleading press articles following the publication of the Foundation for Policy Information Research report "Children's Databases—Safety and Privacy". Their findings are based largely on personal views rather than firm evidence and, in some cases, relate to information that is over six months old. The report also contains numerous factual inaccuracies that were either not checked with me or my Department. The information sharing index will contain only the basic details of every child, end details, for example a GP or social worker, who are in contact with them. It will not contain case information or any subjective judgment about a child or their parents. It will not hold information about vaccinations, fruit and vegetable consumption or educational attainment. To say that it can be used to predict the future outcome for a child is nonsense.
	The index is being developed in response to a key recommendation of Lord Laming following his inquiry in to the tragic death of Victoria Climbié. It is being developed in consultation with children's work force practitioners and will enable them to do their jobs more efficiently and effectively by providing them with contact details for other services working with the same child. Security is a key concern and access to the index will be tightly controlled and audited.
	Our over-riding goal is to improve the outcomes for children, young people and families. The information sharing index will be a vital part of delivering early intervention for children who need additional services and effective safeguarding for children at risk of harm.

Computing Industry

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps his Department is taking to encourage more women to pursue higher and further education courses in computer science.

Phil Hope: Since June 2005, the Computer Clubs for Girls initiative has sought to counteract negative perceptions of information technology among girls and encourage more of them to progress into careers in this area. The initiative, which was created by e-skills UK, the Sector Skills Council for Information Technology and Telecoms with support from the Department and the South East Regional Development Agency, currently has more than 3,500 schools and over 52,000 girls registered.

Dinner Ladies

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to establish regional training centres for the training of school dinner ladies; and who will run such centres.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Department recently announced plans to set up a network of regional training schools for school cooks, supported by £2 million capital funding, to improve their cookery skills. Experts on cooking dishes that meet the new standards will train, support and mentor school cooks, including supporting them in their own school. We have asked the School Food Trust to lead the implementation of this proposal.

Every Child Matters

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how local authorities will store data gathered for the public service agreement targets set out in Every Child Matters.

Beverley Hughes: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 25 July 2006,  Official Report, column 1440W.

Gender Equality

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he expects to publish his Department's gender equality scheme.

Parmjit Dhanda: In line with the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (Public Authorities) (Statutory Duties) Order 2006 (No. 2930), laid on 10 November 2006, we expect to publish my Department's Gender Equality Scheme by 30 April 2007.

Gender Equality

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to ensure that private organisations contracted to work  (a) in his Department and  (b) for non-departmental public bodies and executive agencies for which his Department is responsible are aware of their duties under gender equality legislation when exercising public functions on behalf of public bodies.

Parmjit Dhanda: To assist us in meeting our general gender equality duty obligations, where contractors provide goods, works or services on our behalf, like other contracting out public authorities we will refer to the Equal Opportunities Commission's (HOC) Code of Practice of the Gender Equality Duty and any further EOC guidance when available.

Gender Equality

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to carry out gender impact assessments of his Department's major policy developments and new legislation.

Parmjit Dhanda: From April 2007, the Department will carry out gender impact assessments of major policy developments and new legislation in line with the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (Public Authorities)(Statutory Duties) Order 2006 (No. 2930). We shall refer to Equal Opportunities Commission's (EOC) Code of Practice on the Gender Equality Duty and their specific guidance when available.

Gender Equality

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps he is taking to ensure that  (a) his Department and  (b) the non-departmental public bodies and executive agencies for which he is responsible are taking steps to meet the requirements of the forthcoming duty on public bodies (i) to end unlawful discrimination and harassment and (ii) to promote equality between women and men.

Parmjit Dhanda: In order to ensure better performance on the general gender equality duty, which will require public authorities to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination and harassment and promote equality of opportunity between women and men, my Department will be taking the steps outlined in the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (Public Authorities) (Statutory Duties) Order 2006 (No. 2930) which should come into force on 6 April 2007.

National Skills Academy

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether there will be a national skills academy in one of the five Olympic boroughs; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: The National Skills Academy for Construction is due to open its doors later this year following a launch on 27 November at its first site to open—201 Bishopsgate and Broadgate, near Liverpool street, London. The National Skills Academy for Construction will have many sites, one of which will be in Greenwich. Other academies launching this autumn are in manufacturing and in financial services.
	All national skills academies will operate on a national basis and in provide employers with hands on involvement in design and delivery of skills training, and a real say over strategy, standards and management.

Nursery Education

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations he has received on the application of the code of practice on the provision of free nursery education places for three and four year olds for nurseries in England; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: In the last six months, ministerial colleagues and I have held a number of meetings with representatives of private, voluntary and independent childcare providers. These meetings have been opportunities to celebrate the progress that we are making together towards the delivery of our 10-year childcare strategy commitments and to discuss issues of concern. Ministers and officials have also received a range of correspondence from providers including on the code of practice.
	Some private sector providers have suggested that the funding they receive from local authorities to fund delivery of the free entitlement does not cover their costs and expressed concern that, in their view, the code of practice prevents, for the first time, the charging of "top-up fees" for hours covered by the free entitlement. In responding, we have been clear that we believe the £3 billion per year that the Government put into early years through the dedicated schools grant is sufficient to fund the free entitlement and that local authorities have discretion over the use they make of funding from the DSG including the rates at which they fund early education in all types of setting. They are encouraged to fund early years provision equitably across settings in accordance with local circumstances. We have also emphasised that the position on 'top-up' fees has not changed and that previous iterations of the code of practice have made this clear. The Government remain committed to a universal free early learning entitlement that benefits all children regardless of their parents' income or ability to pay.
	We conducted a full public consultation on the 2006 code of practice from June to October 2005, to which 585 responses were received; the majority were from private providers who were generally content with the proposed extension to 38 weeks. None expressed concern about the requirement to ensure that the entitlement is entirely free at the point of delivery. A summary of the responses is available at:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/consultations/conResults.cfm?consultationld=1329

Nursery Education

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what representations he has received on the proposed amendments to the code of practice on the provision of free nursery education places for three and four-year-olds.

Beverley Hughes: Since the Code of Practice came into force in April, ministerial colleagues and I have received a number of representations about the details of arrangements for increasing the free entitlement from 33 to 38 weeks and about "top up fees", which some providers wrongly believe the Code of Practice ruled out for the first time.
	The single substantive change to the delivery of the free early education entitlement set out in the 2006 Code of Practice was its extension from 33 to 38 weeks. Following the consultation we made clear our recognition that not all providers would be able to extend their provision to 38 weeks and that, at the relevant local authority's discretion, they could be funded for the provision they actually delivered. In addition, all local authorities have received additional funding to support the extension to the free entitlement to 38 weeks.
	The Code of Practice simply restated the existing position on "top up fees": that the entitlement should be free at the point of delivery and that providers should not add any additional charges for the hours covered by free entitlement funding.

Nursery Education

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the extent to which nursery education is free at the point of delivery.

Beverley Hughes: The entitlement is, and must remain free at the point of delivery. This principle is not new, and has been made clear in successive versions of the relevant Code of Practice since 2003. The 2006 Code simply sets it out again explicitly. It confirms that parents should not be required to pay any fee for the free entitlement, either directly or indirectly as a condition of accessing the free place.

Nursery Education

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the 20 Pathfinders that have been identified to pilot the code of practice on the provision of free nursery education places for three and four-year-olds.

Beverley Hughes: All local authorities are delivering the free early education entitlement in accordance with the code of practice on the provision of free nursery education places for three and four-year-olds, which will remain in force until 2008-09. The following 20 Pathfinder local authorities have been selected to pilot the roll-out of the extended free entitlement to 15 hours in a more flexible way from April 2007.
	Blackburn
	Blackpool
	Derbyshire
	Gloucestershire
	Greenwich
	Hampshire
	Haringey
	Hertfordshire
	Leeds
	Leicestershire
	Newham
	Peterborough
	Rochdale
	Sheffield
	Slough
	Somerset
	Sunderland
	Telford and Wrekin
	Worcestershire
	York.

Prison Education

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many prisoners have gained a public qualification as a result of study engaged in while in prison in each of the last five years.

Phil Hope: The information is not available in the form requested because the prison service education data is not linked to individual prisoners. With the introduction of the Learning and Skills Council-led delivery arrangements for offender learning in England from 31 July, data on individual achievement by offenders will increasingly become available for adults, young offenders and juveniles in custody, and on those serving sentences in the community.

Prison Education

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of the prison population achieved a basic skills qualification in each of the last five years.

Phil Hope: The information requested is not collected centrally. However, Prison Service Annual Report data shows basic skills qualifications achieved as:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2001-02 16,133 
			 2002-03 41,313 
			 2003-04 43,731 
			 2004-05 58,947 
		
	
	against a prison receptions profile of:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2001 130,934 
			 2002 135,820 
			 2003 135,042 
			 2004 132,961

Prison Education

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many prisoners are receiving education or training; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: In August 2006, 20,920 prisoners were engaged in learning and skills activity in English public prisons and service level agreement (SLA) prisons, funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) as part of the Offenders' Learning and Skills Service (OLASS).

Prison Education

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many prisoners received education or training in each year since 2002; and what proportion of such education and training was provided by a further education college.

Phil Hope: The information requested has not been collected centrally prior to the introduction of the new offender learning and skills delivery arrangements across England from 31 July 2006. In the month of August 2006, 20,920 prisoners were engaged in learning and skills activity in English public prisons and service level agreement (SLA) prisons, funded by the Learning and Skills Council as part of the Offenders' Learning and Skills Service (OLASS).
	Of the 21 lead providers appointed to deliver learning to prisoners, 14 are further education colleges, representing 67 per cent. of the provider base.

Prison Literacy

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the literacy rate is in prisons in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: The information requested is not collected centrally. The most recent Home Office data ('Prison Statistics for England and Wales 2002') showed that 37 per cent. of prisoners had literacy levels below level 1.

Private Finance Initiatives

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total capital value is of each private finance initiative scheme overseen by his Department which has reached financial close; over what period repayments will take place; and what the total cost of repayment will be.

Jim Knight: The information requested concerning the total capital value of private finance initiative projects that have reached financial closure and the length of their contracts has been placed in the House Library. The information has been estimated by the Department on the basis of returns from the local authorities concerned, some of which are incomplete.
	The Department does not hold accurate records of the total cost of repayments made by individual local authorities.

Runaway Children

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to ensure that local authorities provide appropriate levels of support for runaway children;
	(2)  if he will assess the merits of introducing centrally controlled provision for runaway children;
	(3)  what support is given to runaway children who are considered as having priority need.

Parmjit Dhanda: This Government are committed to improving outcomes for all children, especially the most vulnerable, for example those children and young people who run away.
	We need to prevent young people from going missing in the first place, and ensure their safe return and safety when they do run away. Most runaways return within 24 hours, but they need effective mediation and resolution for their problems. When a child is missing for longer, it is even more important we have clear support mechanisms, procedures and responsibilities to enable them to be found and returned, safely and speedily, and their problems addressed.
	Our fundamental programme of reform to improve outcomes for children everywhere—"Every Child Matters"—is designed to ensure vulnerable young people receive local services that identify them quickly, give responsive support tailored to their needs, and ensure their safety. It covers early intervention and prevention; integration of education, social care and health services available to at-risk youngsters; information sharing to prevent young people slipping through the net; early assessment of young people's needs, including those relating to broader family issues; joined up support for children and families, through a lead professional.
	This means that children at risk of running away can receive practical local help for all the problems they face, not just the immediate presenting crisis. Local children's services are best placed to identify and engage with at-risk groups more quickly and effectively, where prevention and speed of response is vital. Unfortunately, not all runaways are reported as missing, but when the needs of such vulnerable young people become known to, and are assessed as a priority by, children's social care departments, they have a duty to assess and address those needs.
	Nationally, we are working across Departments, with the police, and with other key voluntary bodies. We are working with Barnardo's to summarise and disseminate lessons learned from the six community-based refuge pilot projects we funded recently. We are also working with The Children's Society to find and disseminate good practice across local authorities. We are planning new quality standards for information advice and guidance for young people; greater focus on early intervention and prevention for the whole family; and we are working with the London councils to consider their next steps towards a pan-London strategy for runaways.

Runaway Children

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the proportion of runaway children who are given a full independent interview by police before being returned to their parents;
	(2)  what financial support is provided to local authorities to ensure that runaway children are given a full independent interview by police before being returned to their parents.

Parmjit Dhanda: It has always been policing good practice to interview runaway and missing persons on return to establish why they went missing, where they went, were they victims or perpetrators of crime, and whether they came to any other form of harm. This is formalised in the 2005 Association of Chief Police Officers' document "Guidance on the Management, Recording and Investigation of Missing Persons".
	The National Centre of Police Excellence estimate around 90 per cent. of children are spoken to as part of this return-home process. No separate ring-fenced money is provided by local authorities for the police to conduct these interviews outside of normal budget provisions.

Special Needs

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children with epilepsy who are educated in mainstream  (a) primary and  (b) secondary schools have been (i) suspended and (ii) expelled.

Parmjit Dhanda: The requested information is not collected centrally.

Transformation Fund

Joan Humble: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  when he proposes to evaluate the effectiveness of the Transformation Fund; and whether he plans to extend the initiative beyond 2008;
	(2)  what proportion of child carers in receipt of support from the Transformation Fund are enrolled on training for  (a) level 3,  (b) level 4,  (c) level 5 and  (d) level 6 qualifications;
	(3)  how many  (a) private,  (b) voluntary and  (c) independent day nurseries have accessed the Transformation Fund to help with the costs of staff training since its inception.

Beverley Hughes: The evaluation of the effectiveness of the Transformation Fund is due to commence in December 2006 and will cover the period until March 2009.
	Indicative plans submitted by local authorities for using the Transformation Fund between 2006 and 2008 show that over 26,000 child-carers intend to study for Level 3 qualifications, over 8,500 intend to study for Level 4 qualifications and over 7,000 intend to study for Level 5 qualifications.
	These plans also show that over 4,000 settings across the private, voluntary and independent sectors are expected to take up the Quality Premium element of the Fund and therefore employ a graduate who will work towards the new Early Years Professional Status, which is assessed at level 6. The plans do not, however, provide a breakdown of take up of the Quality Premium between the sectors; and, although the plans show the number of staff expected to undertake Level 3, Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications, they do not identify the number of settings involved in accessing this funding.
	Local authorities are next due to submit a report on the take-up of the Transformation Fund in spring 2007. This will provide further details about how the funding is being used and the number of settings that are benefiting.
	Funding in 2008-09 and beyond is subject to the outcome of the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review, which is currently under way.

TRANSPORT

Air Accidents Investigation Branch

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the work of the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB); and what the budget of the AAIB is for 2006-07.

Gillian Merron: The United Kingdom's Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is an independent part of the Department for Transport and is responsible for the investigation of civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents within the UK. It also assists in the investigation of military accidents on request and civil aircraft accidents overseas where there is a UK interest. The Chief Inspector of Air Accidents reports directly to the Secretary of State for Transport on safety matters.
	Authority for the AAIB to investigate accidents originates from the Civil Aviation Act: The Civil Aviation (Investigation of Air Accidents and Incidents) Regulations 1996.
	The fundamental purpose of investigating accidents and incidents is to determine the circumstances and causes of the accident with a view to the preservation of life and the avoidance of accidents in the future, it is not to apportion blame or liability.
	The total annual budget for the AAIB for 2006-07 is £8,108,000.

Air Accidents Investigation Branch

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many individuals worked at the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), expressed as  (a) headcount and  (b) whole-time-equivalent, in each of the last five years; and whether any armed forces personnel, including from the armed forces of countries other than the UK worked for the AAIB, in each of the last five years.

Gillian Merron: The headcount for the AAIB for the years 2001-2006 is as follows:
	
		
			   Headcount  Whole time equivalent 
			 2001 47 46.5 
			 2002 47 46.5 
			 2003 47 47.5 
			 2004 57 49.5 
			 2005 57 53 
			 2006 57 54.5 
		
	
	No armed forces personnel from the UK or overseas were employed by the AAIB in the last five years.

Aviation

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many security breaches have been recorded on flights coming into the UK under the host state responsibility principle in each year since 1996.

Gillian Merron: Under the host state responsibility principle, states are charged with ensuring that appropriate aviation security measures are in place for flights leaving their territory, not for those entering. The Department therefore sets and enforces compliance with aviation security measures at UK airports. Its work to promote effective aviation security overseas does however help reinforce the security of flights originating in other states, including flights to the UK itself.

Aviation

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider deferring publication of the progress report on the Future of Air Transport White Paper to take account of the forthcoming European Commission proposal on aviation and emissions trading.

Gillian Merron: We are expecting the European Commission legislative proposal on aviation and emissions trading by the end of the year, although timing is uncertain. The Government are committed to publishing a report on progress in implementing the "Future of Air Transport" White Paper's policies and proposals by the end of 2006.

Aviation

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much carbon dioxide was attributable to UK international and domestic aviation operations in  (a) 2003,  (b) 2004 and  (c) 2005.

Gillian Merron: Carbon dioxide emissions from UK aviation are reported in 'Transport Statistics Great Britain 2006', table 3.8. at the following link:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_transstats/documents/downloadable/dft_transstats_613483.pdf

Aviation

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the likely timetable for implementation of an effective emissions trading scheme for aviation.

Gillian Merron: The Commission aims to bring forward a legislative proposal by the end of 2006 and we will continue to press for its inclusion from 2008 or as soon as practicable. We are continuing to work with our European partners to ensure progress.

Aviation

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates he has made of carbon dioxide emissions from UK international and domestic aviation operations in  (a) 2008,  (b) 2010 and  (c) 2013.

Gillian Merron: Forecast carbon dioxide emissions from UK aviation are reported in "Aviation and Global Warming", paragraph 3.56,
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_aviation/documents/page/_dft_aviation_031850.pdf.

Aviation

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what progress he has made on the commitment in paragraph 3.42 of the Future of Air Transport White Paper to continue to explore and discuss other options for tackling aviation's impact on climate change; what the outcome has been of those steps; and what steps he plans to take to implement his findings;
	(2)  what steps he is planning to take to exercise the right reserved in paragraph 3.42 of the Future of Air Transport White Paper to act alone or bilaterally with like-minded partners in establishing mechanisms to tackle carbon dioxide emissions from aviation.

Gillian Merron: The Government are committed to publishing a report on progress in implementing the Future of Air Transport White Paper's policies and proposals, including on environmental issues, by the end of 2006.

Aviation

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to tackle the non-carbon dioxide effects of aviation on the global climate.

Gillian Merron: The Government are well aware that aviation has an impact over and above that of CO2 alone because of the other emissions released and their specific effects at altitude. We are supporting research to develop scientific understanding in this area, and have made clear that we expect aviation to contribute to our goal of climate stabilisation, and to meet its external costs.

Aviation

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the potential impact of an aviation tax on low-income families.

John Healey: I have been asked to reply.
	Decisions on taxation are taken as part of the Budget process, and take into account all relevant social, environmental and economic factors.

Bembridge Harbour Improvement Company

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what response he has received from the Bembridge Harbour Improvement Company to his letter reminding them of their obligations to file accounts with his Department.

Stephen Ladyman: None.

Concessionary Fares Scheme

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much each  (a) district and  (b) unitary council in Hampshire has allocated for the National Concessionary Fares Scheme in (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08; how much will be covered by Government grant; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: From April this year, older and disabled people have been guaranteed free off-peak local bus travel within their local authority area. The Government provided an extra £350 million in 2006-07 and will provide a further £367.5 million in 2007-08 to fund the extra costs to local authorities. The funding for concessionary fares is provided through formula grant and is unhypothecated; therefore it is not separately identified for each local authority. Expenditure by local authorities on the statutory element of their local concessionary fare schemes entitlement is not held centrally.

Concessionary Fares Scheme

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to extending concessionary fares for pensioners to modes of public transport other than buses.

Gillian Merron: There are no current plans to extend the statutory bus concession to other forms of public transport. Local authorities have the discretion to vary their local schemes to include other modes. Many local authorities choose to do so, such decisions being based on their judgment of local need and their overall financial priorities. Any decision to extend the national entitlement would have to be fully funded and would require careful consideration of its full impact on the industry in question.

Concessionary Fares Scheme

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what costings he has undertaken of extending concessionary fares for pensioners to  (a) trams,  (b) local rail services,  (c) domestic ferry services and  (d) other non-bus modes of public transport.

Gillian Merron: Initial analysis suggests that the estimated annual cost of extending the statutory minimum to:  (a) trams would be in the order of £15 million,  (b) local rail around £250 million,  (c) domestic ferries, no estimate, and  (d) extending to community transport at least £25 million.
	The Department is providing an extra £15 million per year to fund a half-fare concessionary coach scheme.

Concessionary Fares Scheme

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from  (a) hon. Members and  (b) others about the extension of concessionary fares for pensioners to non-bus modes of public transport.

Gillian Merron: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have received about 40 letters from hon. Members as well as letters from members of the public about extending the statutory bus concession to other forms of public transport over the last two years. Ministers and officials, routinely meet with stakeholder groups to discuss concessionary fares policy.

Departmental Statistics

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which statistics have been put forward by his Department for consideration to become new national statistics in each of the last five years; and how many statistics sets his Department has produced in total in each of the last five years.

Gillian Merron: The current list of National Statistics produced by Department for Transport can be found on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/about/ns_ons/nsproducts/default.asp
	A list of changes to the scope of National Statistics (additions and withdrawals) in each of the last five years can be found in the relevant National Statistics annual report available on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=1051
	In addition to National Statistics, the Department for Transport publishes a wide range of other numerical information in a variety of forms including other data produced from the management and administration of the Department and in research reports. There is no consistent definition of the term "statistics sets" and no centrally held information on the total published in each year on this basis.

Eddington Report

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects Sir Rod Eddington to publish his review of British transport policy.

Gillian Merron: Sir Rod Eddington's transport study looks at the long-term impact of transport decisions on the UK's productivity, stability and growth, within the context of government's commitment to sustainable development. He will publish his advice around the time of the pre-Budget report.

Eddington Report

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much the Eddington Review has cost; and how much was budgeted for the Review.

Gillian Merron: The Eddington Transport Study will be published around the time of the pre-Budget report. Final costs will be made available after the Eddington study team has completed its work.

Government Car Fleet

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether special advisers have access to transport provided by the Government Car Fleet in their own capacity if they are not accompanying a Government Minister.

Stephen Ladyman: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 7 November 2006,  Official Report, column 1063W.

Government Car Fleet

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Ministers were provided with cars by the Government Car Fleet in  (a) 1996-97 and  (b) the most recent year for which figures are available.

Stephen Ladyman: The Government Car Service provided 86 allocated cars and drivers for ministerial use during 2005-06, the most recent year for which figures are available. Figures for 1996-97 are not available and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

Highways Agency

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the level was of  (a) traffic,  (b) carbon dioxide emissions and  (c) road traffic accidents (i) predicted before and (ii) recorded after construction of each Highways Agency scheme since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The Highways Agency is currently working on updating tables which will provide current information available on traffic, carbon dioxide and road traffic accidents. This work is expected to be completed in December.
	I will write to the hon. Member with the information requested when it is available and place a copy of my letter in the Libraries of the House.

Park and Ride Schemes

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what policies his Department has implemented to encourage the introduction of park and ride schemes; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The Department has provided a framework for local authorities, which encourages the introduction of park and ride schemes, consistent with local priorities and policies. Policy priorities for local transport plans are set out in "Full Guidance on Local Transport Plans", published in December 2004, by the Department. The guidance identifies tackling congestion as one of four key policy priorities and indicates parking policies are part of the means that local authorities should consider.
	The Department has also provided substantial resources for local authorities to invest in local transport improvements including park and ride. For the first year five year plan period (2001-02 to 2005-06) it allocated approximately £2.9 billion to local authorities outside London for investment in integrated transport improvements.
	This investment has led to the opening of more than 55 new park and ride sites and extensions to more than 80 others between 2001-02 and 2004-05.

Public Transport

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of public transport  (a) journeys and  (b) passenger miles were taken by (i) local bus, (ii) non-local bus and coach, (iii) local train services, (iv) non-local train services, (v) tram, (vi) taxi, (vii) domestic ferry services, (viii) domestic air services and (ix) other modes of transport in the latest period for which figures are available.

Gillian Merron: The following table shows data for 2005 on the percentage of public transport  (a) trips (or journeys) and  (b) distance travelled by main mode of transport in Great Britain.
	
		
			  Proportion of public transport trips and distance by main mode in GB: 2005 
			  Percentage 
			   Trips  Distance 
			 Local bus 62 27 
			 Non-local bus and coach 1 7 
			 Surface rail 15 44 
			 Light rail 2 1 
			 LT Underground 7 6 
			 Taxi/minicab 12 6 
			 Air 0 8 
			 Other public 0 0 
			
			 All public transport 100 100 
			  Source:  DfT National Travel Survey

Railways

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much the One Railway has paid to the Exchequer since it obtained the East Coast franchise.

Tom Harris: Details of payments and premiums from all franchised train operators are set out in National Rail Trends, copies of which are in the Library of the House. Premium payments from London Eastern Railway (One) are stated as £45 million in 2004-05 and £55.6 million in 2005-06.

Railways

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many companies bid for the East Coast franchise.

Tom Harris: Four bids were received for the current East Coast franchise.

Railways

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether One Railway's refurbishments to rolling stock have been in line with the conditions set out in the franchise.

Tom Harris: "One" rolling stock refurbishments are being delivered in line with the franchise commitments contained in the franchise agreement.

Railways

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  whether penalties can be imposed on One Railway for  (a) specific breaches of its franchise contract and  (b) low overall performance levels;
	(2)  whether penalties have been imposed on One Railway for individual service failures.

Tom Harris: There is no specific obligation within the 'One' Franchise Agreement to allow penalties to be imposed. However, an enforcement notice may be served requiring a remedial plan, notifying the steps that will be taken to secure or facilitate compliance, to be provided.

Railways

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions One Railway has failed to fulfil its levels of service as set out in the franchise contract.

Tom Harris: 'One' has failed to meet a service benchmark on 17 occasions since June 2005. This relates to the number of cancelled services. As required by the Franchising Agreement, 'One' put together a corrective plan of actions that has been the subject of a number of discussions with my officials to monitor progress.

Railways

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what capacity arrangements were included in the new franchise agreement with South West Trains for the provision of  (a) toilets and  (b) seats; whether restrictions were imposed on the extent to which the capacity of these services could be reduced; and if he will make a statement.

Tom Harris: A programme of rolling stock modification is already under way as part of the existing South West Trains franchise. It includes the removal of some seats from some trains to provide more standing room.
	The invitation to tender for the new franchise asked bidders to provide details of how they intended to cope with further growth in passenger numbers. The successful bid submitted by Stagecoach South Western (SSW) included incentives for passengers to travel outside peak periods and further rolling stock modifications to cater for those unable to do so. Discussions between SSW and the rolling stock owners are continuing.

Railways

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the financial stability of rail franchises.

Tom Harris: The deliverability of Franchise proposals is assessed at contract award. The financial position of franchises is kept under review throughout the contract.

Railways

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent on the National Train Passenger Survey in each year since 1997-98; and what funding is planned for the next three financial years.

Tom Harris: The National Passenger Survey was set up in 1999. The following table outlines how much has been spent on the survey in each financial year since then, inclusive of VAT.
	
		
			  £ 
			   Cost 
			 1999-2000 251,475 
			 2000-01 466,768 
			 2001-02 507,515 
			 2002-03 582,840 
			 2003-04 642,396 
			 2004-05 681,192 
			 2005-06 692,215 
		
	
	Future funding for the survey has been agreed up to spring 2007. Work is currently out to tender so we are unable to provide any information on likely costs for the period after March 2007. Annual spend for the year 2006-07 is estimated at £719,800 inclusive of VAT.

Railways

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many  (a) passengers in excess of capacity and  (b) total passengers there were (i) for each London commuting service train operator and (ii) in total at the (A) a.m. and (B) p.m. peak in the latest period for which figures are available; and how many passengers into London there were during (1) a.m. peak periods, (2) p.m. peak periods and (3) in total for each London commuting service train operator during that period.

Tom Harris: Statistics on total passenger journeys and passenger in excess of capacity (PiXC) are published by the Office of Rail Regulation in National Rail Trends a copy of which is in the House Library. The 2005-06 Yearbook edition covers percentage of passengers in excess of capacity on all London train operators broken down into a.m. peak, p.m. peak and in total. Total passenger journeys figures are available by train operating companies; we do not have passenger journeys figures in the requested format.

Railways

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which five train services serving London had the highest number of passengers in excess of capacity levels in the most recent survey of Passengers In Excess Of Capacity (PIXC); and what the  (a) passenger capacity,  (b) passenger load,  (c) PIXC and  (d) percentage load factor was in each case.

Tom Harris: This information has already been provided in a response by the Department for Transport to a Freedom of Information request, which was posted on the Department's website on 20 March 2006.
	For ease of reference, the link to the Department for Transport's website is reproduced as follows:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_foi/documents/divisionhomepage/611373.hcsp

Railways

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the removal of buffet bar mark III coaches on First Great Western services; and what assessment he has made of the partial implications for comfort during long distance travel.

Tom Harris: The level and type of on-train catering is a matter for train operators' commercial judgment rather than for the Department for Transport to determine.

Railways

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the minimum train service requirement to  (a) Bristol and  (b) the West Country is under the Greater Western Franchise; and what changes in service levels there have been since the previous franchise.

Tom Harris: The Service Level Commitment 2 ('SLC2') for the First Great Western franchise is available in the House of Commons Library. The Passenger Service Requirements of the former First Great Western and Wessex Trains franchises are also available in the House of Commons Library.

Railways

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what maximum journey times the Greater Western franchise agreement standards includes for services between London Paddington to Swansea; what the average length of journey time is on this route; and what that length of time was during the last two years of operation by British Rail.

Tom Harris: The Service Level Commitment 2 ('SLC2') for the First Great Western franchise is available in the House of Commons Library.
	The average through journey times between London Paddington to Swansea are as follows:
	
		
			  Journey  Average journey time 
			 LondonSwansea (now) 3 hours 
			 SwanseaLondon (now) 3 hours 3 minutes 
			 LondonSwansea (1995) 2 hours 58 minutes 
			 SwanseaLondon (1995) 3 hours 2 minutes 
			 LondonSwansea (1994) 2 hours 58 minutes 
			 SwanseaLondon (1994) 3 hours 2 minutes

Rolling Stock

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many rail vehicles  (a) were delivered in 2006 and  (b) are due to be delivered in each year to 2012, broken down by manufacturer; and what the total value of rolling stock orders (i) delivered in each year since 1996 and (ii) due to be delivered in each year to 2012 is, broken down by manufacturer.

Tom Harris: Table 1 shows the number of new vehicles introduced into revenue earning service each year, broken down by manufacturer. We do not collate information on actual delivery datesthese typically precede introduction into service by several weeks as testing and commissioning must be completed before vehicles can brought into service.
	The most recent new orders of vehicles are due to be introduced into service in 2008-09. Not included are the orders anticipated but not yet in place for the replacement fleet for the existing HST high speed trains currently planned to enter service from 2012.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of new vehicles introduced into revenue earning service 
			   Bombardier  Alstom  Siemens  CAF/Siemens  Hitachi  Total 
			 1996 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 1997 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 1998 20 0 0 0 0 20 
			 1999 145 8 0 0 0 153 
			 2000 160 60 0 0 0 220 
			 2001 332 222 0 48 0 602 
			 2002 444 166 0 8 0 618 
			 2003 228 259 172 8 0 667 
			 2004 773 178 409 0 0 1,360 
			 2005 418 12 280 0 0 710 
			 2006 15 0 173 0 0 188 
			 2007 0 0 48 0 0 48 
			 2008 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2009 (1)152 0 0 0 174 326 
			  2,687 905 1,082 64 174 4912 
			 (1) TfL have stated that the last unit will be delivered in 2009. 
		
	
	Table 2 (which follows) shows the estimated value of the orders placed for the above vehicles, broken down by manufacturer. The values are listed by year in which the order was placed.
	
		
			   million 
			  Table 2: Estimated value of new vehicle orders placed 
			   Bombardier  Alstom  Siemens  CAF/Siemens  Hitachi  Total 
			 1996 11 0 0 0 0 11 
			 1997 257 92 0 0 0 349 
			 1998 624 265 0 55 0 944 
			 1999 47 663 0 0 0 710 
			 2000 125 0 0 9 0 134 
			 2001 19 0 679 9 0 707 
			 2002 1,122 0 0 0 0 1,122 
			 2003 163 0 200 0 0 363 
			 2004 0 0 125 0 0 125 
			 2005 7 0 0 0 245 252 
			 2006 165 0 68 0 0 233 
			  2,540 1,020 1,072 73 245 4950

Rolling Stock

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average age is of the rolling stock of each of the heavy rail franchises; and whether the new contracts include plans to replace old rolling stock.

Tom Harris: The average age of rolling stock is calculated on a quarterly basis. As at 1 October 2006 the average age by franchise is as follows:
	
		
			  Franchise  Average age of rolling stock (years)  Note 
			 c2c 5.5 296 new vehicles introduced, replacing the entire fleet operated by c2c. 
			 Central 13.8  
			 Chiltern 11.4 A significant refurbishment of the Class 165 fleet has taken place in the last couple of years. 
			 First Great Western 25.6 As part of the franchise contract FGW are carrying out a major refurbishment to the power cars and coaches of their High Speed Train sets. 
			 Gatwick Express 6.1 This fleet was completely replaced by 64 new Electric Multiple Unit vehicles. 
			 GNER 21.6 The Mark 4 Electric Fleet has recently received a major refurbishment to the interior and branded as the Mallard. The small number of High Speed Trains are also receiving a major refurbishment to the power cars and coaching stock to enable them to operate until their replacement which is being led by the DfT. 
			 Island Line 68.8 Island Line is a small operator providing local and leisure services between Shanklin and Rye Pier Head on the Isle of Wight. 
			 Midland Mainline 17.2 The Department for Transport is leading the procurement of new vehicles to replace the existing High Speed Train (HST). MML also have 127 new diesel Meridian trains. 
			 Northern 18.1  
			 One 21.6  
			 Scotrail 14.5  
			 Silverlink 15.1  
			 Southern 8.2 742 new vehicles introduced as part of Southern Region upgrade, comprising two thirds of the Southern fleet. 
			 South Eastern Trains 9.0 618 new vehicles introduced as part of Southern Region upgrade, comprising half of the SET fleet. 
			 South West Trains 10.8 785 new vehicles introduced (665 of these as part of Southern Region upgrade), comprising half of the SWT fleet. 
			 First Capital Connect 20.5  
			 Transpennine 7.7 TPE are introducing 153 new diesel trains capable of operating at 100 mph as part of their franchise agreement. 
			 Virgin Cross Country 4.6 352 new vehicles introduced, replacing the entire Cross Country fleet. 
			 Virgin West Coast 3.1 477 new vehicles introduced, replacing the main West Coast fleet. 
			 Arriva Trains Wales 15.4  
		
	
	As at 1 October 2006, the average age of the UK passenger fleet is 13.5 years. It was 20.7 years in 2000, and 22.7 years in 1995.

Safety Cameras

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many speed cameras are in place in each London borough.

Stephen Ladyman: The table shows the number of safety camera sites, covering both fixed and mobile enforcement, in each highway authority in London.
	
		
			  Highway authority  Number of cameras 
			 Barking and Dagenham 2 
			 Bexley 14 
			 Brent 9 
			 Bromley 6 
			 Camden 3 
			 City of London 1 
			 Croydon 21 
			 Ealing 4 
			 Enfield 10 
			 Greenwich 6 
			 Highways Agency 7 
			 Hackney 6 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 5 
			 Haringey 7 
			 Harrow 10 
			 Havering 9 
			 Hillingdon 8 
			 Hounslow 3 
			 Islington 7 
			 Kingston 8 
			 Lambeth 2 
			 Lewisham 1 
			 Merton 3 
			 Newham 6 
			 Redbridge 6 
			 Richmond 3 
			 Southwark 9 
			 Sutton 3 
			 TLRN (Transport for London Road Network) 243 
			 Tower Hamlets 3 
			 Waltham Forest 5 
			 Wandsworth 1 
			 Westminster 2

Safety Cameras

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many speed cameras are in place on the  (a) A12 and  (b) A127.

Stephen Ladyman: There are 31 core and active sites, which include both fixed and mobile camera enforcement, which have A12 in their site name. Of these, 22 sites are in the London Safety Camera Partnership area, one site is in the Essex Safety Camera Partnership area, seven sites are in the Suffolk Safety Camera Partnership area, and one site is in the Norfolk Safety Camera Partnership area.
	There are seven core and active sites which include both fixed and mobile camera enforcement that have A127 in their site name, of which one site is in the London Safety Camera Partnership area, and six sites are in the Essex Safety Camera Partnership area.

Staff Relocation

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many jobs in his Department have been relocated  (a) to Liverpool and  (b) elsewhere as a result of the Lyons Review; and on how many occasions Liverpool has been considered for the relocation of staff under this programme.

Gillian Merron: The information is as follows.
	 (a) No posts have been relocated to Liverpool as a result of the Lyons Review.
	 (b) To date, 47 posts have been relocated as a result of the Lyons Review.
	The DfT relocation programme has not identified specific locations other than existing Department offices, and for accommodation for the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (where sites with good central communication links were required).

Telephone Inquiry Lines

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the estimated cost is of switching  (a) his Department's and  (b) its agencies' telephone inquiry lines to freephone numbers.

Gillian Merron: The estimated cost of switching telephone inquiry lines to freephone numbers is as follows.
	
		
			   Estimated cost  Notes 
			 DfT(C) 20,000 per year. Estimated cost of switching the main DfT enquiry/switchboard number to a freephone number. 
			 DVLA 5.5 million to change from 0870 to 0800 freephone plus  2 million per year charges from the service provider.  
			 DSA No figures available. Initial assessments suggest high costs as charges for over 15,000 calls per month would have to be levied on the costs of theory and practical driving tests, negating the net benefit to the customer. However, DSA is currently assessing the feasibility of switching to a set charge per minute rate, which should limit the cost to between 1p and 5p per minute. 
			 HA 8,000 per year.  
			 MCGA 5,000 in first year, with future costs of 1,000 per year.  
			 VOSA There would be no fee to switch inquiry line to a freephone number. Call charges and quarterly fees would then vary according to the call plan chosen.  
			 VGA ' n/a VGA does not have an inquiry line. 
			 GCDA n/a GCDA does not have an inquiry line.

Telephone Inquiry Lines

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much revenue  (a) his Department and  (b) each of its agencies accrued from national rate telephone lines in each of the last five years.

Gillian Merron: The following revenue was accrued from national rate telephone lines in each of the last five years:
	
		
			Revenue accrued in last five years ()  Notes 
			 DfT(C)  n/a The Department does not use any national rate numbers 
			 
			 DVLA 2003-04 875,000 Information not available before 2003-04 
			  2004-05 1,945,000  
			  2005-06 2,423,000  
			  2006-07 (1)1,601,000  
			 
			 DSA 2001-02 371 ,000  
			  2002-03 370,000  
			  2003-04 714,000  
			  2004-05 1,463,000  
			  2005-06 833,000  
			 
			 HA 2005-06 1,000 The one revenue-generating line was not set up until March 2005 
			 
			 MCGA  n/a MCGA has no revenue-generating telephone lines 
			 
			 VOSA 2004-05 12,500 Cannot separately identify telephone line revenue before April 2004 
			  2005-06 67,900  
			  2006-07 (2)51,020  
			 
			 VGA  n/a VGA has no revenue-generating lines 
			 
			 GCDA  n/a GCDA has no revenue-generating lines 
			 (1) to October  (2) to end October

Transport Safety

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was allocated to research into improving safety in each mode of transport in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and through which routes money has been allocated.

Gillian Merron: Transport research programmes cover a wide range of issues, including safety. We do not allocate separate funding to improving safety, except where entire programmes are focussed solely on safety issues (the only example being Road User Safety Division which has an annual research budget of around 4.3 million).
	Research funding is included in the Department's Evidence and research strategy(1). The strategy also identifies safety research issues and describes how we address them. Further details are on the Department's website (including individual projects through the research database(2)) and on the websites of the Highways Agency(3) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency(4).
	The Department and its agencies commission research through a wide range of research contractors, including industry, academia and public research establishments. We also contribute to European and other international research programmes.
	(1) http://www.dft.gov.uk/ers
	(2) http://www.rmd.dft.gov.uk
	(3) http://www.highways.gov.uk
	(4) http://www.mcga.gov.uk

Transport Schemes

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which  (a) sites of special scientific interest,  (b) areas of outstanding natural beauty,  (c) national parks and  (d) internationally designated sites will be affected by roads schemes approved in the (i) targeted programme of improvements, (ii) local transport plans and (iii) Community Infrastructure Fund.

Stephen Ladyman: In view of the number of road schemes involved, the information could be assembled only at a disproportionate cost.

Travel Statistics

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average  (a) number and  (b) distance of trips as calculated by the National Travel Survey was by (i) car driver, (ii) car passenger, (iii) bus, (iv) walking and (v) other modes of transport for the purposes of (A) commuting, (B) business, (C) education, (D) escort education, (E) shopping and (F) other reasons in the latest two-year period for which survey results are available, broken down by (1) sex and (2) those (v) under 17 years, (w) 17 to 29 years, (x) 30 to 49 years, (y) 50 to 59 years and (z) over 60 years.

Gillian Merron: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Water Freight

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with  (a) the Department of Communities and Local Government and  (b) the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the establishment of a cross-departmental unit with responsibility for water freight;
	(2)  if he will make it his policy to promote the establishment of a cross-departmental unit with responsibility for water freight; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: In line with a freight study group recommendation, since 2002 the Department acts as the focal point for all water freight issues across Government. However, as the freight study group recognised, improvements in the prospects for water freight must come from the industry itself. That is why the Department has funded the setting up and running costs of Sea and Water and we look primarily to them to deliver those improvements.

Working Time Directive

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the operation of the Working Time Directive in the transport sector; how many prosecutions have been made against employees in the road freight sector for failing to implement it in each year since the directive came into force; and how many of these prosecutions have been successful.

Stephen Ladyman: The Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations 2005, which implement the European Road Transport Working Time Directive (2002/15/EC) in Great Britain, have been in force since 4 April 2005 (similar regulations implementing the directive in Northern Ireland have been in force since 16 June 2005). The regulations apply to mobile workers (basically drivers and crew) operating on vehicles subject to the separate EU drivers' hour ruleswhich apply to most HGV drivers and about half the bus and coach drivers in the UK. Mobile workers who do not operate under the EU drivers' hours rules are subject to the requirements of the main Working Time Directive (2003/88/EC).
	The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) enforce the regulations in Great Britain (the Driver and Vehicle Testing Agency enforce the regulations in Northern Ireland), normally in response to complaints received. To date, nobody has been prosecuted for an infringement of the regulations. This reflects the fact that the initial onus has been on educating employers and employees rather than prosecution. The arrangements for enforcement are being kept under review.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Consultants

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much  (a) her Department and  (b) its agencies paid to the Eunomia consultancy in the most recent year for which figures are available; and for what services the money was due.

Angela Smith: The Department of Communities and Local Government was formed in May 2006. No payments were made by  (a) the Department or  (b) its agencies to Eunomia research and consultancy in the last financial year or to date.

Council Tax

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will exempt members of the armed forces serving overseas on military operations from council tax.

Phil Woolas: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Colchester (Bob Russell) on 2 November 2006,  Official Report, column 619W, and the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Wirral, South (Ben Chapman) on 7 November 2006,  Official Report, column 1446W, by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Derek Twigg).

Council Tax (Data Sharing)

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps her Department is taking to facilitate data-sharing of council tax information  (a) within departments of local authorities and  (b) between local authorities and other public sector bodies.

Phil Woolas: As we said in our recent Local Government White Paper, 'Strong and Prosperous Communities', effective cross-agency working needs to be supported by effective data sharing between local partners. The Government's Information Sharing Vision Statement published on 13 September 2006 sets out the Government's vision for better, more customer-focused services supported by greater information sharing which will protect and support individuals and society as a whole.

Departmental Contracts

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much her Department paid to DHL in each financial year between 1997-98 and 2005-06.

Angela Smith: The Department of Communities and Local Government was formed in May 2006. DHL has been paid 143 since May 2006.

Departmental Databases

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which of the databases owned by her Department are managed  (a) internally and  (b) by external consultants.

Angela Smith: I refer the hon. Member to my answer given to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban) on 2 November 2006,  Official Report, column 619W.

Departmental Estate

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the latest  (a) rateable value and  (b) business rates bill is of each of the buildings occupied (a) in whole and (b) in part by her Department.

Angela Smith: The rateable value and the business rates bill for each building occupied by Community and Local Government in 2006-07 is as follows:
	
		
			   
			Business rates bill for 2006-07 in buildings: 
			  Property  Rateable value for the relevant hereditament in 2006-07  (a) occupied in whole by CLG  (b) part occupied and paid for by CLG 
			 1(st) and 6(th) Floors, Stockley House London(1) 572,500 84,849  
			 Eland House London 6,850,000 2,966,050  
			 Ashdown House London 4,380,000  713,478 
			 Allington Towers London 1,720,000  277,200 
			 Part 10(th) Floor, Exchange Tower, London(2) 149,428 64,919  
			 Ashdown House Hastings 640,000  11,259 
			 Hempstead House Hemel Hempstead 231,000  78,351 
			 Building Research Establishment., Garston(3) 1,200,000  6,645 
			 1 High St Glossop 6,400 2,771  
			 Fire Experimental Unit Moreton-in-Marsh 45,000 19,485  
			 Hangar 97 Little Rissington(4) 35,000 20,000  
			 Temple Quay House, Bristol 2,250,000  20,636 
			 Unit 2, Interlink Park, Bardon, Leicestershire 292,500 100,281  
			 Total (excluding Hangar 97 Little Rissington)(3) 18,371,828 3,258,355 1,107,569 
			 Grand total for rates bills  4,365,924 
			 (1) The 1(st) and 6(th) floors of Stockley House have only been the responsibility of the Department since 1 November 2006. They will be occupied temporarily in 2007 as decant space for the reorganisation of Eland House to full open plan. The rateable value for Stockley House shown is that applicable to the 1(st) and 6(th) floors as they are separately rated in the valuation list. (2) The rateable value for the part 10(th) floor of Exchange Tower is shown as it is separately rated in the valuation list. (3) The Department only occupies building 3 at the Garston site. (4) Rates paid by MOD. 
		
	
	This answer does not include buildings occupied by Government Offices, which carry out functions on behalf of 10 Government Departments nor does it include those occupied by the Department's Agencies.

Departmental Expenditure

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the cost to her Department was of  (a) telephone calls and  (b) official entertaining at the Deputy Prime Minister's official residence in 2005-06.

Angela Smith: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for North-East Hertfordshire (Mr. Heald) by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 7 November 2006,  Official Report, column 1175W and by my hon. Friend the Member for Poplar and Canning Town (Jim Fitzpatrick) on 27 March 2006,  Official Report, column 832W.

Departmental Expenditure

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much her Department has spent on anger management classes in the last 24 months.

Angela Smith: My Department has not invested any expenditure in anger management classes in the last 24 months.

Departmental Staff

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will list the job titles of each staff position in her Department.

Angela Smith: Information on job titles is not held centrally and could be collected only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Staff

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many staff have been employed by her Department in each year since 2002.

Angela Smith: The Department of Communities and Local Government came into being on 5 May 2006.
	Communities and Local Government's predecessor, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM), was formed on 29 May 2002. The number of full-time equivalent staff in post at the 31 March in each subsequent year is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Permanent staff in ODPM: 31 March 2003 to 31 March 2006 
			  As at 31 March each year  Full-time equivalents 
			 2003 2,221 
			 2004 2,336 
			 2005 2,468 
			 2006 2,348

Departmental Staff

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what criteria are used to award performance-related bonuses in her Department.

Angela Smith: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my right hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Keith Vaz), on 23 November 2006,  Official Report, column 212W.

Departmental Staff

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many staff in her Department received a performance-related bonus in 2006-07.

Angela Smith: By the end of November, 536 staff will have received an annual bonus award in 2006-07 in respect of their performance in 2005-06.

Departmental Staff

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which publications ran advertisements for the position of Director General Equalities; and what the cost of the advertisements was.

Angela Smith: The position of Director General Equalities was advertised in  The Sunday Times on two occasions at a total cost of 35,038.50. The advertisement also appeared in a  Times supplement on 27 August (Bank Holiday weekend) but at no additional cost to the Department.

Departmental Travel

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much her Department and its predecessor spent on taxis in each year from 2002-03 to 2004-05.

Angela Smith: The Department of Communities and Local Government was formed in May 2006 and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was created following Machinery of Government changes on 29 May 2002. Expenditure on taxi hire in the three financial years completed since then is as follows.
	
		
			
			 2002-03 92,395 
			 2003-04 138,465 
			 2004-05 145,186

Freedom of Information

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many Freedom of Information Act requests received by her Department in the last 12 months were cleared by special advisers.

Angela Smith: There is no requirement or mechanism in Communities and Local Government procedures for Freedom of Information Act requests to be cleared by special advisers. Advice is received by Ministers from officials and special advisers in accordance with the Civil Service Code and the Guidance for Special Advisers.

Government Office for the North West

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what rules govern statements made to the press by civil servants in the Government office for the north-west; and who is responsible for authorising such statements.

Angela Smith: All regional media enquiries are directed to the Government News Network which liaises with appropriate officials in the Government office to draft a response which is then cleared with the relevant departmental press office where appropriate.

Government Office for the North West

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government who authorised the recent statement to the Warrington Guardian by the Government office for the north-west on the Omega development.

Angela Smith: The Government office for the north-west was asked by the Warrington Guardian to comment on the Omega case and it provided a factual written statement on the handling of this case. The statement was prepared by Government News Network, in consultation with the relevant Government office director, and was agreed by Communities and Local Government press and policy officials. The statement was issued in accordance with departmental guidelines.

Government Offices for the Regions

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the total expenditure was of each of the Government Office for the Regions in the last year for which figures are available.

Phil Woolas: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) on 10 May 2006,  Official Report, columns 376-78W.

Land Use Databases

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what  (a) data and  (b) range of data is held on (i) the Full National Land Use Database (NLUD-Baseline) and (ii) the Generalised Land Use Database.

Phil Woolas: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given 8 November 2006,  Official Report, column 1572W.

Land Use Databases

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the timetable is for the implementation of the National Land Use Database.

Phil Woolas: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles), on 8 November 2006,  Official Report, column 1573W, and the answer given to the hon. Member for Hammersmith and Fulham (Mr. Hands), on 4 September 2006,  Official Report, column 1672W.

Local Government Finance

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the total Government grant per capita was to each local authority in England, including fire and police authorities, in 2006-07.

Phil Woolas: The information available has been placed in the Library of the House.

Local Government Pensions

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the estimated cost to employers of the Local Government Pension Scheme was in each financial year from 1996-97 to 2007-08, in actual terms and excluding the 20 per cent. of costs which relate to non-local authority employers.

Phil Woolas: Details of Local Government Pension Scheme employers' costs for the period 1996-97 to 2005-06 are available at http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/stats/index.htm, from which it is possible to determine the 80 per cent.:20 per cent. split between local authority and non-local authority employers' liabilities.
	For the two years 2006-07 and 2007-08, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove), on 9 October 2006,  Official Report, column 400W.

Local Government White Paper

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which outcome-based indicators the Local Government White Paper proposes to abolish.

Phil Woolas: The Local Government White Paper set out our proposals for a new performance framework for local authorities and their partners including a single set of performance indicators to replace existing sets. Decisions about the performance indicators to be included in the framework will be taken as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review, the results of which will be announced next year.

Lyons Inquiry

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will place in the Library a copy of the survey undertaken by HM Treasury and her Department as part of the Lyons Inquiry.

Phil Woolas: HM Treasury and Communities and Local Government have not undertaken any survey work as part of the Lyons Inquiry.
	The Lyons Inquiry has commissioned BMG Research to undertake surveys exploring public attitudes towards local government funding and responsibilities. The research is not yet complete. However, findings from the first of three survey rounds are summarised in Sir Michael Lyons' consultation paper and interim report, published in December 2005, copies of which have been placed in the House Library and are also available at:
	www.lyonsinquiry.org

National Geospatial Metadata Service

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the  (a) purpose and  (b) budget is of the national geospatial metadata service.

Phil Woolas: The geospatial metadata service (www.gigateway.org.uk) increases awareness of and access to geospatial information. This helps to improve decision making and reduce duplication of effort and cost.
	In 2005-06, gigateway cost 376,923.

Parish Councils

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many times parish polls have been held under the Local Government Act 1972 in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Phil Woolas: Information about the number of parish polls held is not collected centrally.

Parliamentary Questions

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether her Department  (a) uses an internal traffic light or coloured-coded system when considering written parliamentary questions and  (b) grades or classifies written parliamentary questions according to their political sensitivity or potential for embarrassing replies for the Government.

Angela Smith: No.

Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much income the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre received from bookings from central Government Departments in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Angela Smith: In the financial year 2005-06 the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre received income from central Government bodies and their agencies of 2,469,000.

Recycling

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether trade waste recycled by local authorities counts towards Best Value Performance Indicator targets for municipal recycling.

Phil Woolas: Trade waste recycled by local authorities does not count towards Best Value Performance Indicator targets for recycling.

Regional Spatial Strategy

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government why the Department's planning inspector has removed the East of England draft Regional Spatial Strategy policy requiring on-site renewable energy in new developments.

Meg Munn: As the hon. Member for Eastleigh will be aware, the report of the Independent Panel that conducted an Examination in Public into the Draft East of England Plan was published in June.
	At this stage in the process, when ministers are considering the Panel's recommendations, it is not appropriate for me to respond to this question.
	The next step is for the Government to publish and consult on Proposed Changes to the Draft Plan which take account of the Panel's advice and earlier representations. The consultation will begin in December and run for 12 weeks to give interested parties a full opportunity to comment.
	The Government will then consider all representations submitted on the Proposed Changes, and expects to publish the final Plan in mid 2007.

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans she has to monitor the  (a) effectiveness and  (b) efficiency of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

Angela Smith: Monitoring will principally be by means of the statistics on enforcement that we collect from the fire and rescue services. The data being collected will allow us to evaluate the level and type of enforcement action; the effect on safety by reference to levels of compliance; and the level of human resources being used by fire and rescue services. In addition, given the order elevates the status of fire prevention, we have set the Fire and Rescue Services a Best Value Performance Indicator (BV 207) relating to the number of fires that occur per 1,000 non-domestic premises in their area. We shall be monitoring that as an indicator of success.

Staff Magazine

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will place in the Library copies of the in-house staff magazine of her Department for the last 12 months.

Angela Smith: The Department for Communities and Local Government was created on 5 May 2006. A copy of the new Department's staff magazine has been placed in the Library as requested.

Standards Board

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how many complaints were referred to the Adjudication Panel by the Standards Board against an elected member of an  (a) local authority and  (b) parish council in each year between 2001 and 2006;
	(2)  how many complaints were received by the Standards Board against an elected member of an  (a) local authority and  (b) parish council in each year between 2001 and 2006;
	(3)  how many  (a) local authorities and  (b) parish councils the Standards Board has not received a complaint against any elected member since 2001;
	(4)  how many complaints against elected members of  (a) local authorities and  (b) parish councils referred to the Adjudication Panel by the Standards Board have taken longer than 12 months to reach a decision;
	(5)  how many complaints against elected members of  (a) local authorities and  (b) parish councils in (i) 2001, (ii) 2002, (iii) 2003, (iv) 2004, (v) 2005 and (vi) 2006 are outstanding at the Adjudication Panel after being referred by the Standards Board;
	(6)  how many complaints against an elected member of an  (a) local authority and  (b) parish council in (i) London, (ii) the South East, (iii) the South West, (iv) the Midlands, (v) the North East, (vi) the North West and (vii) Wales have been referred to the Adjudication Panel by the Standards Board since 2001;
	(7)  how many complaints against elected members of  (a) local authorities and  (b) parish councils referred to the Adjudication Panel by the Standards Board concerned the failure to declare a (i) non-financial interest and (ii) personal interest in each year between 2001 and 2006;
	(8)  how many complaints against elected members of  (a) local authorities and  (b) parish councils referred to the Adjudication Panel by the Standards Board were upheld in each year between 2001 and 2006;
	(9)  how many complaints have been upheld by the Adjudication Panel after being referred by the Standards Board since 2001;
	(10)  how many complaints have been referred to the Adjudication Panel by the Standards Board since 2001;
	(11)  how many complaints have been received by the Standards Board since 2001.

Phil Woolas: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Standards Board to write to the hon. Member on this matter. I shall arrange for a copy of his reply to be placed in the Library of the House.
	 Letter from David Prince, dated 28 November 2006:
	Thank you for your recent Parliamentary questions requesting information on the complaints dealt with by the Standards Board for England (the Standards Board) and the Adjudication Panel for England (APE). The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has asked the Standards Board to reply directly to your request. I am copying this reply to her officials.
	The information you have requested has been placed in a table format for ease of reference. The table is on the enclosed sheet. In summary, 91 per cent. of cases referred to them have been upheld by the APE.
	We did not refer any completed investigations for adjudication by the APE until October 2002, since the Code of Conduct was not approved by Parliament until November 2001. You may also note that there were a relatively high number of cases referred to the APE in the financial year 2002-2003. This is because a majority of the first cases referred to the APE were register of interest cases that involved parish councillors who were opposed to the register of interests being imposed halfway through their term of office.
	You will also note from the table of statistics that the APE received and determined fewer cases than the Standards Board referred to it. This is because when the APE receives multiple cases about the same member it will normally consider all the cases at the same time, and therefore consider them as a single case.
	There is also a disparity in each year between the numbers of cases the APE received and the number it determined. This is because the APE will receive cases near the end of a financial year that it will subsequently determine in the following financial year. The normal handling time, allowing for circulation of papers and responses, is around 16 weeks.
	We have been able to provide you with the number of cases referred to the APE by the Standards Board since 2001 by region. However, we do not collate this regional information by each type of authority so I am unable to provide you with this information broken down between parish/town councils and the other remaining local authorities. This is however an area of our statistical analysis that we will look to provide in the future.
	We cannot provide any statistics on complaints relating to local authorities in Wales as, under the Local Government Act 2000, the Standards Board does not have the power to consider complaints against members of local authorities in Wales. Under the Act the Standards Board only has the power to issue guidance on the Code of Conduct to Welsh police authorities. It is the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales that considers complaints against members of local authorities in Wales, and you would need to contact him direct for any information you require.
	It is interesting to note that an increasing proportion of the complaints we receive are submitted by members of the public. 51 per cent. of the complaints we received in 2003-04 were from the public, rising to 60 per cent. in 2004-05 and rising further to 64 per cent. in 2005-06.
	I hope that this information is helpful. If you would like any further information please do not hesitate to contact me.
	
		
			   2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-present  Total 
			 Total complaints received by the SBE 2,948 3,566 3,861 3,836 1,996  
			
			  Complaints received by authority type   
			 Parish/Town Council 1,630 1,754 1,486 1,543 774  
			 All other local authorities 1,318 1,812 2,375 2,293 1,222  
			
			 Not referred for investigation 1,689 2,144 2,756 2,842 1,527  
			 Not referred for investigation in percentage 56 66 69 72 76  
			
			  Cases referred to the APE by the SBE   
			 Parish/Town Councils 90 53 40 48 1 232 
			 Other local authorities 16 33 68 45 4 166 
			 Total 106 86 108 93 5 398 
			
			  Cases received by the APE   
			 London 0 1 10 6 0 17 
			 East of England 10 13 16 10 0 49 
			 South East 32 8 15 11 0 66 
			 South West 16 19 8 13 3 59 
			 Midlands 25 20 20 13 1 79 
			 North East 7 2 8 8 1 26 
			 North West 13 9 5 5 1 33 
			 Total 103 72 82 66 6 329 
			
			  Case upheld by the APE   
			 Parish/Town Councils 29 104 17 39 5 194 
			 Other local authorities 0 21 34 44 11 110 
			 Total 29 125 51 83 16 304 
			
			  Cases not upheld by the APE   
			 Parish/Town Councils 0 4 7 1 0 12 
			 Other local authorities 1 1 2 12 3 19 
			 Total 1 5 9 13 3 31 
			 Overall total 30 130 60 96 19 335

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what response the Government plans to make to President Musharraf's call in his recent meeting with the Prime Minister for increased UK aid for South Eastern Afghanistan.

Hilary Benn: Since 2001, DFID has spent over 390 million on reconstruction and development in Afghanistan. Afghanistan is DFID's fifth largest programme and we are the second largest bilateral donor, spending over 100 million in 2005-06.
	DFID has already increased aid for southern Afghanistan in 2006-07, by committing 20 million to Helmand province, of which 14 million has been spent so far.
	This includes 2 million of DFID money spent on quick impact projects (QIPs). Examples of what that funding has delivered include humanitarian assistance to IDPs and drought victims, permanent vehicle checkpoints to improve security, river bank walls reinforced and flood defences built.
	It also includes 11 million to the government of Afghanistan which is supporting agriculture and rural development (Helmand Agricultural and Rural Development Programme). The first tangible results will be seen in the next few weeks when the first of 200 wells will be dug in and around Lashkar Gah and construction of 49 km of roads begun.
	DFID expects to spend at least 50 million in Helmand over the next three years. Helmand gets more aid than any other province in the south of Afghanistan, according to government of Afghanistan figures. We are in discussion with donor partners on their plans for development assistance in the south of Afghanistan.

Aid Statistics

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many countries to which his Department has contributed funds via  (a) basket funding and  (b) direct budget support have provided evidence of funds being spent as agreed with the (i) UK and (ii) lead donor; and in how many recipient countries audits of such budgets have been undertaken by non-governmental auditors.

Hilary Benn: DFID country offices monitor how basket funding and budget support is spent to ensure that there is evidence it has been used for the purposes agreed with partner governments. An important aspect of country monitoring arrangements is ensuring adequate audit arrangements are in place.
	Given the diverse nature of the countries in which DFID works and the different partners (both government and international) involved, the design of monitoring and audit arrangements varies considerably for both basket funds and budget support. The best figures we can provide are for funds disbursed in the 2005 budget year of the countries concerned.
	DFID contributed to some 45 basket funds in 18 different countries in 2005 and delivered aid through poverty reduction budget support in 16 countries. In all these cases, DFID staff reviewed relevant financial information on how funds were used and participated in meetings with government and donor partners to discuss progress.
	Around half of the basket funds were audited by the national audit institution and half by a specially appointed auditor. Poverty reduction budget support in 11 countries was audited by the national audit institution and in five, by a specially appointed auditor.
	The nature of basket funding and budget support means that common agreements usually exist between government and donors on how funds will be used and the monitoring and auditing arrangements. Therefore there is no distinction between UK and lead donor arrangements.
	There is no standardised definition of a basket fund. In order to respond to the question, we have defined it as having a common bank account into which at least two donors pool resources to support a government to implement an agreed sector programme or set of activities; and procedures relating to the operation of the bank account are additional to government's own procedures and are governed by an agreement between government and donors.
	Nearly all national audit institutions are statutorily independent of the executive branch of government and in this sense are non-governmental auditors, although they are the auditors of government's expenditure. In many cases and particularly in regard to budget support, this is the form of independent audit carried out. This reply distinguishes between audit by the national audit institution and an audit carried out by a private sector auditor appointed outside normal national procedures to meet donor requirements.

Aid Statistics

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much of the total amount for aid recorded as bilateral aid on page 9 of the 2005 Statistics for International Development publication was given to each multilateral aid agency  (a) to administer specific projects agreed with his Department and  (b) in total.

Hilary Benn: The total amount of bilateral expenditure channelled through multilateral agencies is not readily available from central DFID systems. To collect this information would incur disproportionate costs.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what role the United Nations Development Programme will play in the management of the Three Diseases Fund for Burma.

Gareth Thomas: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will not play a role in the management of the Three Diseases Fund for Burma.
	The fund will be managed by an independent fund manager, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), overseen by a fund board which includes representatives from the donor consortium and independent international experts. The board will be responsible for setting fund policy, for selecting and approving grants, for providing guidance to the independent fund manager and overseeing its work, and for effective monitoring and evaluation.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many governments were approached to provide funding for the Three Diseases Fund for Burma.

Gareth Thomas: We have regularly raised the Three Diseases Fund bilaterally and in group meetings with those donors, who support development work in Burma, kept them abreast of progress and invited them to explore further the possibility of their involvement. Five governments and the European Commission (EC) have agreed to support the Three Diseases Fund and others are still considering their involvement. We will continue to keep donors informed on progress and invite their contributions.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether the Three Diseases Fund for Burma will be available to assist people with HIV/AIDS in areas of Burma not under the control of the military government.

Gareth Thomas: The Three Diseases Fund is committed to supporting work on the three diseases on the basis of need, irrespective of ethnic origin, social status, gender, nationality, political opinions, race or religion. The fund will target those most at risk from HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, particularly those with limited or no access to public health services.
	We will maintain our dialogue with the Burmese authorities about improving access for the UN and international NGOs to areas not under the control of the military government. We will also seek to strengthen dialogues with community-based organisations, local non-governmental organisations and ceasefire groups about how they can contribute to the fund's efforts to deliver services in these areas.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which organisations people in Burma with HIV/AIDS will be able to approach to receive assistance funded by the Three Diseases Fund for Burma.

Gareth Thomas: The Three Diseases Fund has been established to be consistent with the European Union Common Position on Burma. People in Burma with HIV/AIDS will be able to approach a broad range of implementing partners to receive servicesincluding national and international non-governmental organisations, local level government health workers in public health clinics and private sector healthcare providers. The implementing partners must meet certain criteria as established by the fund board. These are likely to include demonstrated technical competence, capacity, speed of delivery, coherence with ongoing activities, or access to specific target beneficiaries or areas. All implementation will need to be consistent with the international humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality and impartiality.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how and by whom decisions on grants from the Three Diseases Fund for Burma are made.

Gareth Thomas: The fund board, which consists of donor representatives and independent international experts, will select and approve grants, targeting those most at risk from HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, particularly those with limited or no access to public health services. Over time, it is expected that the independent fund manager will take a greater role in selecting and approving grants, on the basis of policy and criteria set by the fund board.

Burma

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which organisations will be the  (a) managing partners and  (b) implementing partners for the operation of the Three Diseases Fund for Burma.

Gareth Thomas: A fund board has been established as the governing body of the Three Diseases Fund. It includes representatives from the donor consortium and independent international experts. The fund board will be responsible for setting policy and for overseeing a professional and independent fund manager who will report regularly to the board on all aspects of the fund operation. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has been contracted as the fund manager and will be responsible for the operation of the fund on a day-to-day basis.
	The implementing partners will include specialised UN agencies, international non-governmental organisations, local non-governmental organisations and the private sector. The implementing partners must meet certain criteria as established by the fund board. These are likely to include demonstrated technical competence, capacity, speed of delivery, coherence with ongoing activities, or access to specific target beneficiaries or areas. All implementation must also meet the European Union common position and the international humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality and impartiality.

Civil Service Relocation

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many jobs in his Department have been relocated  (a) to Liverpool and  (b) elsewhere as a result of the Lyons Review; and on how many occasions Liverpool has been considered for the relocation of staff under this programme.

Gareth Thomas: DFID has met its target under the Lyons Review which was the relocation of 85 posts outside London. All of these posts have been moved to our other UK office in East Kilbride.
	At the time of the review, DFID was undertaking a refurbishment of the East Kilbride office, after which additional staff could be accommodated. This was therefore the most efficient and economic option for DFID, and relocation to a new third building in a city such as Liverpool was not considered to be a viable option, despite the undoubted attractions of many locations.

Pakistan

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on what projects the proposed 480 million in aid to Pakistan is planned to be spent; and what benchmarks his Department has in place to assess the funding's effectiveness.

Gareth Thomas: We will set out our priorities for the increased aid allocation in a new Country Assistance Plan (CAP) for Pakistan. During the consultations for this we will seek a wide variety of views and ensure they are fed into our CAP planning. The Government of Pakistan have made progress in fighting poverty, but very real needs remain. One in 10 children die before their fifth birthday; around 8 million children do not go to school; approximately 50 per cent. of the adult population are illiterate, two thirds of whom are women; and some 38 million people were living below the official poverty line in 2005. It is likely that one of our priorities will be to increase our assistance to the education sector.
	Effectiveness will be assessed in a number of ways. The CAP will set out the expected results from our development assistance to Pakistan. We are also agreeing a set of indicators with the Government of Pakistan, to track progress towards the commitments made in the Development Partnership Arrangement. Individual programmes will continue to have indicators of outcomes that will, as at present, be monitored at least annually.

Renewable Energy

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of the electricity used by his Department was generated from  (a) renewable sources and  (b) on-site microgeneration facilities in the last period for which figures are available.

Hilary Benn: The proportion of energy used in our UK buildings generated from renewable sources for 2005-06 was 95 per cent. The remaining 5 per cent. relates to a building which we are about to vacate. None of our energy is currently generated from on-site microgeneration, but we are currently carrying out feasibility studies into options such as combined heat and power (CHP) units, tri-generation systems, and biomass heating systems for both of our remaining buildings.

Secondments

Iain Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which staff in his Department are seconded from organisations with charitable status; and which have  (a) costs and  (b) salaries met (i) in part and (ii) in whole (A) from public funds and (B) by the charity from which they are seconded.

Gareth Thomas: The Department for International Development (DFID) currently has one secondee from Oxfam who has been posted to DFID's office in Lusaka, Zambia.
	DFID are meeting all costs (including salary costs) for this seven month secondment which commenced in November 2006.

World Food Programme

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support he is giving to the World Food Programme's food aid provision in the Horn of Africa.

Hilary Benn: DFID has contributed a total of 22.15 million during 2006 to the World Food Programme's operations in the Horn of Africa. Direct contributions have been made to WFP this year of 15 million for Kenya, 6.5 million for Somalia, and 0.65 million for Ethiopia.
	Indirect contributions to WFP and other food relief have also been made by DFID through our contributions to UN Humanitarian Response Funds in countries in the Horn, and through the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), to which we are the largest contributor.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Equal Pay

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of employees who took their employers to an industrial tribunal under the Equal Pay Act 1970 in the last five years had their complaint upheld.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The percentage of employees who took their employers to an employment tribunal under the Equal Pay Act 1970 in the last five years and had their complaint upheld is as follows:
	
		
			   Percentage of complaints upheld 
			 2000-01 1 
			 2001-02 7 
			 2002-03 4 
			 2003-04 3 
			 2004-05 1 
			 2005-06 33

Equal Pay

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many employers were taken to a tribunal under the Equal Pay Act 1970 in each of the last five years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The number of employers taken to a tribunal under the Equal Pay Act 1970 in each of the last five years is as follows:
	
		
			   Number of claims 
			 2000-01 5,314 
			 2001-02 3,077 
			 2002-03 3,217 
			 2003-04 4,412 
			 2004-05 8,229 
			 2005-06 17,268

Export Control

Linda Gilroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he make representations to include a review of sentencing for breaches of export control when it considers its 2007-08 work programme.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 23 November 2006
	In response to Question 51 of the Quadripartite Committee's 'First Joint Report of Session 2005-2006', the Government said that the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office will engage with the Sentencing Guidelines Council to see how best it can influence the debate on appropriate sentencing guidelines for breaches of export control. The Department, along with other interested Departments, will wish to contribute to that debate.

Gas Supplies

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken besides his efforts to liberalise the European gas market to ensure security of supply within the UK gas market.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 21 November 2006
	The recent review of the UK's energy policy confirmed the Government's view that security of supply is best ensured by a competitive and liberalised market-based system. Coupled with a light touch regulatory framework, this facilitates the short-term balancing of supply and demand, and provides the price signals and incentives to encourage investment for the longer term in diverse supplies. Two outcomes from the Energy Review address security of gas supply: DTI is working to streamline consent regimes for gas supply infrastructure projects, and is also consulting on possible ways to further improve the effectiveness of the current UK gas security of supply arrangements.

Gas Supplies

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what impact concerns raised by NATO regarding Russia limiting gas supply into Europe have had on his plans for security of gas supply in the UK.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 21 November 2006
	With our EU partners and through the International Energy Agency, the Government monitor international gas market developments closely. The UK continues to promote diverse supplies, delivered through competitive markets, as the most efficient and effective way to ensure gas security of supply.

Gas Supplies

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the availability of information on the cost and supply of Norwegian gas imported into the UK.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 23 November 2006
	No individual assessment has been made. Rules covering participation in GB gas markets, including those relating to provision of information, are the same for all market participants.

Gas Supplies

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to increase the transparency of the gas markets that feed the UK gas market.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 23 November 2006
	I attach great importance to the development of a functioning internal energy market. While progress has been made in implementing the EU's 2003 liberalisation package, further steps are needed and I welcome the action the Commission is taking, both in conducting a sectoral inquiry of energy and in considering what other action may be necessary.
	In the UK's response to the Commission energy Green Paper of March this year, we underlined a number of factors which we regard as key to the development of the market: ensuring sufficient information is available for all market players and consumers to benefit from fair competition; the need for regulators to have sufficient powers and independence to deliver competition, including across borders; investment in cross-border infrastructure; and effective unbundling to prevent discrimination against market entrants.
	I look forward to the publication of the Commission's strategic energy review and the conclusions of the sectoral inquiry, both due to be published in January.

International GCSE

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether  (a) the Postal Services Commission,  (b) the Export Credits Guarantee Department,  (c) the Office of Rail Regulation,  (d) the Office of Fair Trading,  (e) UK Trade and Investment,  (f) the Office of Water Services and  (g) the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets recognise the International GCSE as an acceptable substitute for a GCSE for the purposes of recruitment.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I can confirm that UKTI considers an International GCSE as an acceptable substitute for a GCSE.
	The DTI neither manages nor advises on recruitment for the Postal Services Commission, the Export Credits Guarantee Department; the Office of Rail Regulation, the Office of Fair Trading; the Office of Water Services or the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets.

Low Carbon Buildings

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the household stream of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme will meet household demand for renewable energy grants in 2007-08 and 2008-09.

Malcolm Wicks: We announced on 25 October 2006 that we would be reallocating 6.2 million of the total 28.5 million funding to the household stream. This will give a total pot of 12.7 million, which on projected demand levels should allow householder funding to continue until June 2008. By this time, some of our wider measures to promote microgeneration should be taking hold, and we believe the sector may have matured to a point where householder grants are no longer necessary.

Low Carbon Buildings

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to ensure the continuation of Low Carbon Buildings Programme grant funding for domestic solar hot water installations; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: By 20 November 2006, we had committed 0.5 million to 1,747 household applications for solar thermal hot water installations, of which 0.2 million has been paid to 477 grant claimants.
	We are currently in discussions with key stakeholders about reducing grant levels for all technologies, including solar thermal hot water.

Low Carbon Buildings

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what calculation his Department has made of the total spending needed to ensure that household demand for capital grants under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme is met in full.

Malcolm Wicks: Under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme, we allocated 6.5 million to the household stream at scheme launch in April 2006. On 25 October 2006, we announced that a further 6.2 million of the total 28.5 million funding would be reallocated to the household stream, giving a total budget of 12.7 million going forward.

Low Carbon Buildings

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the likely demand for grants from the household stream of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme for building-attached micro wind turbines.

Malcolm Wicks: Since the launch of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme phase one on 1 April 2006, we have committed 0.4 million to 911 household applications for building integrated wind turbine installations. This is from a total allocation of 1.2 million towards 1,104 wind turbine projects under the household stream.

Low Carbon Buildings

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what analysis he has made of the level of grant uptake by households during the final year of the Clearskies and Solar PV major demonstration programmes; and what the main conclusions of the analysis were.

Malcolm Wicks: Under the Clearskies programme, we committed 1.6 million to 2,116 household applicants in the final year of the programme. Of this amount, 1.4 million has been paid to 2,019 grant claimants.
	Under the Solar PV major demonstration programme, we committed 4.4 million to 683 household applicants in the final year of the programme. Of this amount, 2.3 million has been paid to 386 grant claimants.
	We will be considering an evaluation when the schemes close in 2007.

Low Carbon Buildings

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice he has sought from  (a) trade associations and  (b) other industry bodies on the likely demand for household grants in year one of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme.

Malcolm Wicks: Key industry stakeholders and other industry bodies were fully consulted on the design of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme and funding allocations.
	More recently, officials met with industry representatives and other key stakeholders, informing them of our plans to introduce monthly allocations to the household stream of the low carbon buildings programme. Discussions are ongoing regarding the reduction of grant levels to the different technologies.

Low Carbon Buildings

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects household grants to end under the low carbon buildings programme.

Malcolm Wicks: We announced on 25 October 2006 that we would be re-allocating 6.2 million of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme Phase 1 budget to the household stream, giving a total pot of 12.7 million. It is expected that this along with the introduction of monthly allocations and a reduction in grant levels for individual technologies will allow us to process applications until June 2008. By this time some of our wider measures to promote microgeneration should be taking hold, and we believe the sector may have matured to a point where householder grants are no longer necessary.

Low Carbon Buildings

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what additional funding would be required to enable the household stream of the low carbon buildings programme to continue to 2009.

Malcolm Wicks: We have a budget of 12.7 million available for the household stream of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme. It is expected that this along with the introduction of monthly allocations and a reduction in grant levels for individual technologies will allow us to process applications until June 2008.
	By this time, some of our wider measures to promote microgeneration should be taking hold, and we believe the sector may have matured to a point where householder grants are no longer necessary.

Low Carbon Buildings

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the likely household demand for grants in 2005-06 under the low carbon buildings programme.

Malcolm Wicks: When the Low Carbon Buildings Programme was launched in April 2006, 3.5 million was set aside for the household stream in 2005-06. In order to meet the higher than anticipated demand, a further 6.2 million of the total 28.5 million funding was reallocated to the household stream on 25 October 2006, and we continue to process grant applications for householders.

Low Carbon Buildings

Denis Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps have been taken to encourage households to install  (a) solar panels,  (b) wind turbines and  (c) microgeneration units; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: We launched the Low Carbon Buildings Programme on 1 April 2006, with 6.5 million out of the total 28.5 million funding having been made available to the household stream over three years, covering a range of microgeneration technologies including solar panels and micro wind turbines.
	Taking into account the higher than anticipated demand, we increased the level of funding for household installations by 6.2 million to 12.7 million on 25 October 2006. This should ensure we are able to fund the household stream until June 2008.

Low Carbon Buildings

Denis Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many  (a) households and  (b) households in the Wansbeck constituency have received grants from the Low Carbon Buildings Programme.

Malcolm Wicks: By 20 November 2006, 3,556 householders had successfully applied for grants under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme household stream. Of this figure, two applicants from the Wansbeck constituency have been awarded household grants.

Low Carbon Buildings

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to ensure that all renewable energy technologies are supported through the household stream of the Low Carbon Buildings programme.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 22 November 2006
	The Low Carbon Buildings programme supports a range of microgeneration technologies through the household stream. Officials met with industry representatives and other key stakeholders on 31 October 2006 to discuss the implications of reducing grant levels for different technologies. Thesediscussions are ongoing.

Motor Neurone Disease

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what projects related to motor neurone disease were funded by the Medical Research Council in each of the last three years; how much each project received; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Medical Research Council (MRC) spent 2.0 million, 2.5 million, 1.5 million in the years 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05 respectively on projects related to Motor Neurone Disease. The Projects involved were:
	
		
			  Organisation  Project Title  Project cost () 
			 Cardiff University Mechanisms of striatal function and repair 1,092,348 
			 Imperial College The neural control of spinal muscles 63,963 
			 Imperial College The role of WNT-7a in the formation of sensory-motoneuron connections in the spinal cord 55,803 
			 Institute of Neurology Development of neuroinformatics tools for the integration and interpretation of imaging in the degeneration of the brain and dementia 52,052 
			 Institute of Psychiatry MRC London Brain Bank for Research on Neurodegenerative Diseases 349,143 
			 Institute of Psychiatry The role of phosphorylation in neurofiliament function and dysfunction 192,222 
			 King's College London A population study and genome wide search for susceptibility genes in amyotropic lateral sclerosis 281,539 
			 King's College London Identifying a new gene for Motor Neurone Disease 37,809 
			 King's College London - KCL The role of ephrins and Eph receptors in cranial motor neuron migration and axon pathfinding 202,838 
			 King's College London GKT Schools Neuroregeneration genomics 315,906 
			 The University of Manchester Neuronal pathways underlying CNS responses to injury and disease 297,668 
			 University College London UCL Investigations of function and structure in glutamate (NMDA) and glycine receptors, and of disease-causing mutants. 808,639 
			 University College London UCL Molecular analysis of growth and regeneration in the nervous system 658,503 
			 University of Bristol Agonist-induced regulation of metabotropic glutamate receptors 140,004 
			 University of Cambridge Brain repair 481,325 
			 University of Cambridge Safety and feasibility of neural transplantation in early to moderate Huntington's disease in the UK. 165,917 
			 University of Liverpool Relating Function to Structure in lonotropic Glutamate Receptors 193,426 
			 University of Oxford Genetic approaches to understanding lower motor neurone disease 480,434 
			 University of Oxford An analytic study of functional coupling within and between cortical and subcortical motor structures 90,798

Nuclear Energy

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the energy used in making safe an out-of-service nuclear power station and its associated nuclear waste has been factored into estimates of  (a) its carbon impact and  (b) its costs relative to other forms of energy.

Malcolm Wicks: The energy review report 'The Energy Challenge' published on 11 July 2006 drew on evidence from the Sustainable Development Commission, OECD and others to demonstrate that the full lifecycle release of carbon dioxide from nuclear power is similar to wind power, and much less than fossil fuel plant.
	Any new nuclear power stations would be proposed, developed, constructed and operated by the private sector, who would also meet full decommissioning costs and their full share of long-term waste management costs. The Government do not take a view on the future relative costs of different generating technologies. It is for the private sector to make these judgements, within the market framework established by Government. However, for the purposes of the energy review report, the Government carried out a cost-benefit analysis of nuclear new build which took into account the costs associated with decommissioning and waste management.

Nuclear Energy

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he expects the proportion of electricity generated in nuclear power plants by 2020 to be  (a) higher,  (b) lower or  (c) roughly the same as today.

Malcolm Wicks: It is not for Government to decide on how much nuclear generating capacity there should be in the UK. Any new nuclear power stations would be proposed, developed, constructed and operated by the private sector, which would meet full decommissioning and their full share of long-term waste management costs.

Nuclear Fusion

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what factors his Department took into account when deciding to agree to the location of the new fusion experimental reactor in France.

Malcolm Wicks: The decision on the site for ITER, the experimental fusion reactor to built in France, was taken by the ITER Parties, following earlier agreement between EURATOM and Japan on the roles of each as Host and non-Host Party.

Nuclear Waste

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the cost of disposing of nuclear waste resulting from nuclear power stations in Scotland.

Malcolm Wicks: The UK's civil radioactive waste legacy has been created over a period of decades as part of a UK programme, and no cost estimates are separately available on the costs associated with disposal of radioactive waste associated with Scottish power stations.

Nuclear Waste

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the cost of disposing of nuclear waste resulting from  (a) the UK's nuclear power stations and  (b) the Ministry of Defence's nuclear weapons system and nuclear submarines.

Malcolm Wicks: The NDA estimates the total (undiscounted cost) of delivering its remit to decommission the UK's 20 civil public sector nuclear sites is 64.8 billion (Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) accounts for 2005-06).
	Government recently announced its intention to pursue a policy of geological disposal for radioactive waste, which will be undertaken on a staged basis with clear decision points. This will allow the Government to review progress and to assess costs, value for money and environmental impact before decisions are taken to move to the next stage. At this stage final disposal costs are not available as much work remains to be done on this.
	The information above relates solely to civil radioactive waste. Questions relating to defence issues should be referred to the MOD.

Post Office Card Accounts

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much is paid to the owners of sub-post offices for each post office card account transaction they carry out; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: This is an operational matter for Post Office Limited (POL) and I understand Alan Cook, Managing Director of POL, has replied direct to my hon. Friend as of 7 November 2006.

Wind Farms

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the typical planning application period is for an onshore wind farm.

Malcolm Wicks: Under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry makes decisions on proposals in England and Wales for onshore wind farms greater than 50MW. The five such applications determined between March 2001 and March 2006 took an average of three years.
	Applications for onshore wind farms of 50MW or less are decided in England and Wales by local planning authorities under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Figures from the British Wind Energy Association show that decisions made between January 2005 and September 2006 have taken an average of 15 months in England and 23 months in Wales.

Wind Farms

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration is given to the effect on carbon emissions resulting from the proposed investment when conducting an environmental site assessment of a prospective wind farm area.

Malcolm Wicks: This is dependent on the size of the wind farm. Wind farms are typically designed to operate for more than 20 years. A recent life cycle assessment provided in support of a 60 megawatt wind farm proposal indicates that it would pay back the carbon dioxide emissions due to the development, construction, operation and decommissioning in approximately seven months.

HEALTH

Fair Funding

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health What assessment she has made of the effect of fair funding on  (a) the health service and  (b) health inequalities since its introduction.

Caroline Flint: Revenue allocations are made on a fair formula that directs funding towards those areas of greatest need. For 2006-08 revenue allocations, PCTs will receive an average increase of 19.5 per cent. In addition, PCTs have been moved more quickly to their fair share of funding. This has led to funding of 1,388 per head in England in 2007-08 and, for health inequalities, 1,552 per head in Spearhead areas in 2007-08.

Local Care Hospitals

Martin Linton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health What criteria are used to assess proposals for local care hospitals.

Ivan Lewis: When developing proposals for community hospitals and services, local NHS authorities are expected to show a clear strategy for the development of primary and community care, including ambitious goals for the shift of resources rooted in the vision and agenda of the White Paper, 'Our health, our care, our say'.
	There are 10 design principles which must be satisfied by any successful bid for this capital. These are outlined in detail in 'Our health, our care, our community: investing in community hospitals and services', published by the Department in July.
	The principles will ensure that the investment made will be in high quality services, which patients and the public want and which are sustainable within the local health economy.

East Anglia Trusts

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she next expects to meet heads of primary care trusts in East Anglia to discuss levels of deficits.

Andy Burnham: The Secretary of State has no immediate plans to meet with the heads of Primary Care Trusts in East Anglia to discuss their financial positions but did meet them in September together with all PCTs to discuss a range of issues. My right hon. Friend has visited the region regularly over the last year.
	Officials from the Department of Health meet regularly with Chief Executives from strategic health authorities to discuss their performance and progress on financial recovery plans where necessary.

Primary Care Trusts (Funding)

Mr. Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether moneys top-sliced from high-performing primary care trusts will be returned in 2007-08.

Patricia Hewitt: Primary care trusts (PCTs) which make a contribution to their strategic health authority (SHA) reserve will be repaid, normally within the three-year allocation cycle, when organisations currently in deficit start producing surpluses. SHAs have been asked to ensure PCTs with the greatest health need are the first to be repaid.

Speech Therapy (Norfolk)

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the effects have been of recent changes to funding of speech therapy in Norfolk; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: Primary care trusts and other local stakeholders are responsible for monitoring the impact of any changes they have made to the funding of speech therapy.

Maternity/Paediatric Services (Teesside)

Mr. Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on her decision to refer maternity and paediatric services in Teesside to the independent reconfiguration panel.

Rosie Winterton: The Secretary of State for Health requested the advice of the Independent Reconfiguration Panel on 22 September 2006 in relation to referrals from local Overview and Scrutiny Committees.
	The Independent Reconfiguration Panel will report to the Secretary of State for Health no later than 18 December 2006.

Substance Misusers

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the costs of drug treatment by GPs for substance misusers.

Caroline Flint: The full costs of drug treatment by GPs have not been estimated.
	For GPs who normally treat less complex clients the cost of the prescribing component of the treatment is currently about 1,000 per patient per episode.
	For GPs who have trained to become addiction specialists and treat more complex clients the cost the prescribing component of treatment is currently about 1,800 per patient per episode.
	These figures do not represent the full annual cost of treating a patient. Treatment for drug misusers is not just about prescribing, it is a package of care planned treatment including the support of a keyworker, other psycho-social interventions and can include supervised consumption of substitute drags. GP's may provide one or more components of a comprehensive package, which involves other providers of specialist treatment.

Graduate Unemployment

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of graduate unemployment among  (a) nurses,  (b) midwives and  (c) physiotherapists.

Rosie Winterton: The Department is working closely with NHS Employers and published guidance to support local NHS organisations, to help them maximise employment opportunities and to ensure the health and social care services do not lose the skills of displaced staff or new graduates.

Surgery Waiting Times (Leicestershire)

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations she has received on waiting times for surgery in Leicestershire.

Andy Burnham: The Department of Health has received correspondence from the hon. Member for Blaby (Mr. Robathan) and the right hon. and learned Member for Sleaford and North Hykeham (Mr. Hogg) in respect of waiting times for surgery in Leicestershire.
	The number of people waiting 26+ weeks for in-patient treatment (including day cases) in Leicestershire has fallen from 1,786 in June 2002, to 0 in September 2006.

NHS (Financial Performance)

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on NHS financial performance in 2006-07.

Andy Burnham: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the NHS finance report for the second quarter of 2006-07 which we published on 9 November.
	This report shows that the NHS as a whole is broadly on course to deliver net financial balance by the end of this financial year, and continues to perform well against key service targets.

Pain Clinics

Robert Goodwill: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the availability of specialised consultant-led pain clinics in the NHS.

Andy Burnham: The responsibility to commission appropriate pain management services based on the needs of local populations lies with Primary Care Trusts. The Department has made no assessment of the availability of specialised consultant led pain clinics in the NHS.

Accident and Emergency Facilities

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the effect will be of the proposed changes to acute services in  (a) Hertfordshire and  (b) England on the time taken to travel to accident and emergency facilities.

Andy Burnham: There is no recommended minimum or maximum patient travelling time to hospitals with accident and emergency departments in England. However, I would expect any public consultations on the proposed reconfiguration of acute health servicesincluding, in Hertfordshire, those that have taken place and those that may be plannedto include discussions about the effect of the proposals on the time taken by patients to accident and emergency departments. Local primary care trusts and NHS trusts talk to their clinical, patient and wider health community when a change to service delivery is necessary.

Alzheimer's Disease

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine will continue to be available for all patient groups with Alzheimer's disease until the proposed judicial review is completed;
	(2)  what plans there are to keep under review the cost effectiveness of prescribing donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine to all patient groups with Alzheimer's disease;
	(3)  what assessment she has made of the effect of the recent announcement by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence to stop the use of donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine in certain patient groups with Alzheimer's disease; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued a technology appraisal on donepezil, galantamine, rivastigimine and memantine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and a wider clinical guideline on dementia services on 22 November. This guidance has the same status as other technology appraisals and clinical guidelines published by NICE and its original 2001 appraisal guidance on drugs for Alzheimer's disease has been withdrawn. NICE expects to review the technology appraisal in September 2009 and the clinical guideline in November 2010.
	The technology appraisal states that people with mild Alzheimer's disease who are currently receiving donepezil, galantamine or rivastigmine, may be continued on therapy until they, their carers and/or specialist consider it appropriate to stop.

Cancer Drugs

John MacDougall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of providing drugs for cancer patients in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not hold figures on the cost of providing drugs for cancer patients. However, it completed a tracking investment exercise in 2005, which showed that an additional 192 million was spent on cancer drugs in the three years to 2003-04, which equates to over 60 million new investment per year. More generally, 3.4 billion was spent on cancer services in 2003-04 and this increased to around 3.8 billion in 2004-05.

Elderly Patients

John MacDougall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department is taking to prevent malnutrition of older people in hospital.

Andy Burnham: Preventing, and treating, malnutrition is complex and depends on good food, careful assessment and skilled clinical care.
	The better hospital food (BHF) programme has improved the quality and availability of hospital food. Patient environment action team (PEAT) scores show that hospital food has continued to improve since 2001.
	The BHF programme closed in April 2006. Responsibility for building on the foundations of the BHF programme now rests with the national health service, with support from the National Patient Safety Association (NPSA). Resources such as the menu planner will still be available.
	Via the NPSA, we are taking action on two major issues; screening patients on admission to identify those at risk of malnutrition, and extending the use of protected mealtimes so that patients can concentrate on eating, and staff can give the help they need.
	We are also working with a number of organisations at grass-roots level. For instance, recommendations from the Council of Europe are now being implemented by the Hospital Caterers' Association and the British Dietetic Association, via an alliance of interested parties. This is an example of the Department leading the development of recommendations, with the NHS taking up the challenge of implementation.
	Choosing Health gave a commitment to establish nutritional standards for the armed forces, the NHS and prisons, and this work is now under way. Experts in the Food Standards Agency and Purchasing and Supply Agency are involved.
	We will continue monitoring via PEAT inspections, the Healthcare Commission's annual healthcheck and patient surveys.

Health Service Journal

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost was of the Health Inequalities supplement in the 23 November 2006 edition of the  Health Service Journal.

Caroline Flint: The cost of the supplement was 20,000.
	It represents good value in reaching a key group of primary care trusts and national health service professionals who have a lead responsibility for delivering the health inequalities public service agreement target.

Health Visitors/School Nurses

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) health visitors and  (b) school nurses were employed in England in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: The following table shows the number of health visitors from 2001 to 2005. The number of qualified school nurses were counted for the first time in the 2004 work force census and are also shown in the table. The overall number of nurses working in primary and community care settingssome of whose roles overlap with health visitorshas increased by 37 per cent. since 1997.
	
		
			  Table of health visitors in England, 2001 to 2005 
			  England (headcount) 
			   2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 Health visitors 13,053 12,774 12,984 13,303 12,818 
			   
			 Qualified school nurses2,409 2,887 
			  of whom:  
			 Hold a pre registration school nurse qualification856 943 
			  Source: The Information Centre for health and social care non-medical work force census.

Home Heat Helpline

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether her Department is taking steps to ensure that vulnerable groups are made aware of the assistance available to them through the home heat helpline;
	(2)  whether her Department is providing funding for the home heat helpline.

Ivan Lewis: The Department, the Department for Work and Pensions, Age Concern, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Help the Aged, WRVS and National Energy Action publishes a booklet Keep Warm, Keep Well. It gives practical advice, plus contact details for a number of other organisations including the Home Heat Helpline. NHS Direct also provides advice.
	The Home Heat Helpline is an initiative of the Energy Retail Association.

Hospital Travel Costs

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been paid out under the hospital travel costs scheme in each of the last three years; and how many patients received payments under the scheme in each year.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not collect figures on how much has been paid out through the hospital travel costs scheme, nor how many patients have benefited from the scheme. It is for primary care trusts, as local commissioners of services, to make provisions so that patients with either a financial or medical need for transport can travel to and from their treatment or care.

Infectious Diseases (Border Control)

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people entering the UK from outside the EU were x-rayed at British airports to check for evidence of tuberculosis (TB) in each of the last three years; and what action has been taken with regard to those found to be carrying TB.

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of immigrants who entered the UK from countries with a high prevalence of tuberculosis were  (a) medically examined,  (b) x-rayed and  (c) found to have tuberculosis in the last period for which figures are available.

Caroline Flint: We are currently in the process of implementing our commitment to introduce targeted health screening for tuberculosis (TB) in high-risk countries at the entry clearance stage. In the six countries where we implemented the pre-entry TB screening programme last year on a pilot basis all those applying to come to the United Kingdom for over six months have been screened, using a protocol based on x-rays and sputum smears. From the commencement of pre-entry TB screening in October 2005 until the end of October 2006, 27,807 people were subject to TB screening. Of these, 14 were found to have infectious TB. Applicants with infectious TB are not considered for entry clearance until they have successfully completed a course of treatment.
	My hon. Friend the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Nationality announced on 21 November 2006,  Official Report, column 51WS, the extension of these controls to a further group of countries with a high incidence of TB as defined by the World Health Organization. Until these pre-entry controls are in place Government policy is that all those entering the UK from these countries, and from other countries with a high incidence of TB not covered by the pre-entry screening programme, for over six months should be routinely referred for medical examination for TB.
	The Health Protection Agency reports that the number of people x-rayed at Heathrow and Gatwick airports was 62,301 in 2002-03, 72,510 in 2003-04 and 76,560 in 2004-05. Approximately 100 of the people who were x-rayed in 2004-05 were subsequently found to have TB. Any person thought on the basis of the examination at the port to have TB is referred to the national health service, and those who are subsequently diagnosed with TB are offered treatment.

Infectious Diseases (Border Control)

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many trained medical staff are deployed at x-ray machines at British airports to check for illnesses; and what proportion of the day such trained personnel are on duty.

Caroline Flint: The Health Protection Agency reports that there are six whole-time equivalent medical staff working in the health control unit (HCU) at Heathrow airport, and two whole-time equivalent medical staff working in the HCU at Gatwick airport, where there is also on-call cover overnight provided by medical staff who are not based on site. These are the only points of entry to England equipped for x-ray examination. The term medical staff here refers to doctors and radiologists. There are also two radiographers working at Heathrow and one at Gatwick.
	At Heathrow, medical staff are on duty at one terminal for 24 hours per day and at two of the other terminals for 12 hours per day. At Gatwick, medical staff are on duty for 12 hours a day, with on-call cover overnight.

Neurology/Epilepsy

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what funding the Government provides to independent organisations that provide specialist care for adults and children with severe forms of epilepsy;
	(2)  how many specialist care places there are in  (a) Greater London, broken down by London borough, and  (b) England for (i) adults and (ii) children with severe forms of epilepsy; and where they are located.

Ivan Lewis: Information on the number of specialist care places for children and adults with epilepsy are not collected centrally.
	We do not provide direct funding for independent organisations providing specialist epilepsy care. However, local health bodies have the freedom to commission, and provide funding for, specialist epilepsy care for individuals from the independent sector.

NHS Staff

Barbara Follett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures she is taking to maximise the opportunities available to displaced and newly qualified NHS staff affected by the recent workforce changes.

Rosie Winterton: The Department is working closely with NHS employers and has published guidance to support local national health service organisations to help them maximise employment opportunities and to ensure the health and social care services do not lose the skills of displaced staff or new graduates.

Osteopaths

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when she expects to publish the cost-benefit analysis of the impact of revalidation on the osteopathic profession;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the self-regulatory framework for osteopathy in meeting the needs of patients;
	(3)  what discussions she has had with the  (a) General Osteopathic Council and  (b) British Osteopathic Association on the proposed revalidation process for the osteopathic profession.

Andy Burnham: The Department has undertaken a review of the regulation of the non-medical healthcare professions including osteopathy, drawing on submissions and contributions from key stakeholders. I met the General Osteopathic Council and the British Osteopathic Association on 8 June 2006. The review was published on 14 July 2006, alongside Professor Sir Liam Donaldson's report Good Doctors, Safer Patients.
	A four-month consultation on both reviews ended on 10 November. We are currently considering all the responses and expect to publish our proposals, including a regulatory impact assessment, early in the new year.

Royal Free Hospital

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of phone calls were answered within 30 seconds at the Royal free hospital in the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: This information is not held centrally.

NORTHERN IRELAND

A1 Dual Carriageway

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the timescale is for the commencement of the improvement schemes at the junctions of  (a) Dromore Road, Hillsborough with the A1 dual carriageway and  (b) Bunbridge Road, Dromore with the A1 dual carriageway.

David Cairns: The chief executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has written to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
	 Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 28 November 2006
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding the timescale for the commencement of the improvement schemes at the junctions of (a) Dromore Road, Hillsborough with the Al dual carriageway and (b) Banbridge Road, Dromore with the Al dual carriageway. As this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service, I have been asked to reply.
	By way of background, the proposals to upgrade the Dromore Road, Hillsborough and Banbridge Road, Dromore junctions with the Al dual carriageway are included within a Design Build Finance and Operate (DBFO) Package announced by the then Minister for Regional Development, Mr John Spellar MP on 21st March 2005.
	Roads Service is currently progressing the complex tendering process for the procurement of this package of road projects as a Public Private Partnership, and is working towards awarding the contract in Spring 2007.
	The phasing of the construction of individual schemes, within the overall DBFO package of schemes, is for the successful tenderer to determine. As the tendering process is not complete, Roads Service is at this stage unable to provide a definitive date for the commencement of each scheme. However, from the information that the tenderers have provided, Roads Service is hopeful that both schemes would commence in the 2007 / 2008 financial year.

Ambulances

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many ambulances are available in each health trust area in the Province between 9 am and 5 pm.

Paul Goggins: The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) is a regional service. Ambulances therefore cover areas not defined by trust boundaries.
	The number of ambulances available in each board area in Northern Ireland during the period 9 am to 5 pm is as follows:
	
		
			  Board area  Ambulance numbers 
			 EHSSB 24 
			 WHSSB 12 
			 SHSSB 13 
			 NHSSB 17

Ambulances

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many ambulances are available overnight in each health trust area in the Province.

Paul Goggins: The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) is a regional service. Ambulances therefore cover areas not defined by trust boundaries
	The number of ambulances available overnight in each health board area across Northern Ireland is as follows :
	
		
			  Board area  Ambulance numbers 
			 EHSSB 18 
			 WHSSB 9 
			 SHSSB 10 
			 NHSSB 11 
		
	
	Overnight is defined by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service as 20.00 hours to 08.00 hours.

Audiology Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what the longest waiting time for a digital hearing aid was in each health trust area in the Province in 2005-06;
	(2)  what the average waiting time for a digital hearing aid is in each health trust area in the Province;
	(3)  how many patients are waiting for a digital hearing aid in each health trust area in the Province.

Paul Goggins: Information on the longest waiting time for a digital hearing aid in each health trust area in 2005-06 is not collected centrally (103431). Information is also not collected centrally on the average waiting time for a digital hearing aid in each health trust in the province (103432). However, information was collected on the number of completed waits for a hearing assessment/re-assessment for the quarter ending 31 March 2006. This is the first quarter for which information has been collected, according to specified time bands for each health and social services board. Waiting time is counted from the date a referral is received by the Audiology Department until the hearing aid is fitted.
	All new patients assessed as requiring a hearing aid are fitted with a digital hearing aid. Analogue aids are normally only issued as replacements to current users of analogue aids for whom a digital hearing aid is unsuitable.
	Waiting list information is collected by time band. It is therefore not possible to calculate the arithmetic mean (average) and longest waiting time for a digital hearing aid. Information in the following table shows the number of patients who were assessed and fitted with a hearing aid during quarter ending 31 March 2006 in each health and social services board by the length of time waited.
	
		
			  Completed waits for digital hearing aids during quarter ending  31 March 2006 
			  HSS board  Less than three months  Three to six months  Six to 12 months  12 months or more  All patients fitted 
			 EHSSB 769 240 114 68 1,191 
			 NHSSB 366 38 0 0 404 
			 SHSSB 161 14 194 219 588 
			 WHSSB 96 259 142 0 497 
			 Northern Ireland 1,392 551 450 287 2,680 
			  Source: Community Information Branch return AUDI 
		
	
	 Number waiting for a digital hearing aid at 31 March 2006:
	Information on the number of patients waiting for a digital hearing aid in each health trust area in the province is not collected centrally(103433). However, information is collected on the number of patients waiting for a hearing assessment/re-assessment at the end of each quarter for each health and social services board in the province. The information in the table above is for quarter ending 31 March 2006, the first quarter for which information is available.
	At 31 March 2006, 2,184 patients were waiting for a hearing assessment/re-assessment in Northern Ireland, 943 in the Southern Board, 837 in the Eastern Board, 340 in the Western Board and 64 in the Northern Board.
	
		
			  Number of patients waiting for a hearing assessment/re-assessment 
			  HSS board  Less than three months  Three to six months  Six to 12 months  12 months or more  Patients waiting 
			 EHSSB 149 208 458 22 837 
			 NHSSB 35 29 0 0 64 
			 SHSSB 286 183 384 90 943 
			 WHSSB 93 0 247 0 340 
			 Northern Ireland 563 420 1,089 112 2,184 
			  Source: Community Information Branch return AUDI

Audiology Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  how many patients received digital hearing aids in each health trust area in the Province in each of the last 12 months;
	(2)  how many patients received digital hearing aids in each health trust area in the Province in each of the last 10 years.

Paul Goggins: Information on the number of patients who received digital hearing aids in each health trust area in each of the last 12 months, and in each of the last 10 years is not collected centrally. However, information was collected on the number of patients who received digital hearing aids during the quarter ending 31 March 2006, the first quarter for which information has been collected in each health and social services board.
	
		
			  Number of patients who received digital hearing aids during quarter ending 31 March 2006( 1,2) 
			  HSS Board  Number of digital hearing aids issued 
			 EHSSB 1,116 
			 NHSSB 404 
			 SHSSB 558 
			 WHSSB 497 
			 Northern Ireland 2,575 
			 (1) Figures include information on new and existing clients fitted with a digital hearing aid during quarter ending 31 March 2006.  (2) Figures do not include information on digital hearing aid replacements issued during the quarter to avoid possible double counting.   Source:  Community Information Branch return AUDI.

Bonus Payments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what criteria a civil servant in his Department must fulfil  (a) to be considered for a bonus on top of their regular salary and  (b) to be awarded a bonus.

Paul Goggins: There are three bonus schemes operating within the Northern Ireland Office.
	The special bonus scheme rewards staff in a tangible way for demonstrating effort or achievement in fulfilling short-term exercises or projects and these fall within the range of 50 to 750. Staff must be nominated for a bonus and their Director (Grade 3) will decide who is to receive an award and at what level.
	As part off the annual pay round, staff below SCS can be awarded a non-consolidated performance bonus for demonstrating exceptional performance across an entire reporting year and these fall within the range of 650 (at the lowest gradeD2) to 1,400 (it the highest grade A). Staff must have a nomination form completed by their line manager and endorsed by their countersigning officer. A moderating panel considers all of the recommendations and is able to approve an award up to a ceiling of 15 per cent. of staff at each grade within their Directorate.
	As part of the annual pay round, SCS staff can be awarded a non-consolidated bonus to reward in-year performance in relation to agreed objectives, or short-term personal contribution to wider organisational objectives. The level of funding is decided centrally by Cabinet Office and bonuses are at minimum 3,000 and at maximum 20 per cent. of salary. Staff must have a nomination form completed by their line manager. A Pay Committee considers all the recommendations and decides who should be awarded a bonus.
	These three schemes operate non-consolidated and non pensionable bonus schemes and therefore do not have associated future costs for paybill.

Bowel Screening

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what progress was made on a bowel screening programme at the workshop on 20 June 2006;
	(2)  what steps he has taken arising from the workshop on 20 June 2006 on a bowel screening programme;
	(3)  what progress has been made on introducing a bowel screening programme in the Province;
	(4)  what steps have been taken to increase the capacity and skills of NHS staff in Northern Ireland in relation to bowel cancer screening.

Paul Goggins: The UK National Screening Committee has considered the case for bowel screening and recommended that a population programme should be introduced. I would wish to see such a programme introduced in Northern Ireland. However, before a programme could be implemented in Northern Ireland, detailed planning is required in order that the introduction of bowel screening does not adversely impact on services for those patients with symptomatic bowel disease. In addition, infrastructure development and capacity building is required so that the necessary resources, people and skills are in place to ensure a quality service.
	In preparation of this, the workshop on bowel cancer held on 20 June considered the current capacity and pressure on the symptomatic bowel service. It identified the need for expansion of endoscopy training and capacity, and the introduction of quality standards in line with those applied in England. My Department has allocated resources to support these developments and is currently working with the relevant health professionals to address these issues and thereby enhance the capacity of the symptomatic service.
	A bowel cancer screening conference, jointly organised by Action Cancer and my Department, was held on 9 October 2006. It provided learning from the experiences of introducing bowel cancer screening in England and Scotland, which will be taken into account for the introduction of bowel screening here. These and other initiatives will leave Northern Ireland in a much better position to introduce bowel cancer screening in 2009.

Bowel Screening

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken to increase training provision for colonoscopists in the Province.

Paul Goggins: The Department meets identified training needs for endoscopy nursing staff, through commissioned training places at Queen's University Belfast. Training provision has increased slightly from 2005, when the curriculum was reviewed to include additional information on decontamination.
	The Northern Ireland Medical and Dental Training Agency has introduced a three-day colonoscopy course for junior doctors training in Gastroenterology and Colorectal Surgery.

Business Rate Relief

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the impact of extending business rate relief to sub-post offices in Northern Ireland on  (a) equality and  (b) targeting social need.

David Hanson: Analysis was undertaken in 2004 and 2005 regarding the introduction of a rural rate relief scheme for Northern Ireland to include support for rural post offices and shops. This analysis was directed at small properties below the (then) levels applicable in GB of 6,000 net annual value and the cost was estimated at 1.6 million. It was not possible to establish how much of this 1.6 million was attributable to post offices because a significant number of them are categorised by the Valuation and Lands Agency as ordinary shops.
	Preliminary results of the Equality Impact Assessment and New TSN analysis were unfavourable, with the high likelihood of adverse differential effects occurring at local level. Furthermore, the assessment concluded that such a measure would do little or nothing for rural shops in Northern Ireland. It was decided not to implement the rural rate relief scheme in Northern Ireland because the scheme which applies in the rest of the UK is based on designated rural areas which would be inappropriate for Northern Ireland's dispersed rural settlement pattern.
	The case for providing small business rates relief will be re-examined during 2007 and this will include consideration of sub-post offices.

Cancer Treatment

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what targets his Department has set for survival rates for cancer patients.

Paul Goggins: The current target set by the Department of Health and Social Services for cancer survival is that the Health and Personal Social Services should seek to increase five year survival rates for the main cancers including breast, colo-rectal and lung (excluding non melanoma skin cancers) by 5 per cent. by 2010.

Cancer Treatment

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to ensure that cancer patients in the Province receive the professional support and care they require.

Paul Goggins: On 9 November the Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety published a Cancer Control Programme for Northern Ireland. This plan which represents the first element of an over-arching regional framework for cancer services will in the future be supplemented by detailed, transparent standards and targets for the delivery of that care. Those standards and targets will be developed in partnership with the HPSS and the Northern Ireland Cancer Network and will address the standards of professional support and care required by cancer patients.

Cancer Treatment

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to reduce the inequalities in cancer rates among different social classes in the Province.

Paul Goggins: One of the key aims of the recently published Cancer Control Programme for Northern Ireland is to ensure that cancer services are provided to everyone who has need of them on an equitable basis. The Cancer Control Programme recommends that commissioners, service planners and relevant agencies should take full account of the report findings regarding cancer inequalities in the planning and development of regional and local cancer services and prevention strategies.

Cancer Treatment

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what consideration has been given to producing a comprehensive cancer plan for Northern Ireland with targets for services and specific allocated funding.

Paul Goggins: The first comprehensive report on cancer services in Northern Ireland, Cancer ServicesInvesting for the Future was published in 1996. On 9 November the Department of Health Social Services and Public Safety published a new Cancer Control Programme for Northern Ireland. This important document sets out recommendations and actions for the further strengthening of cancer services and the setting of standards for the delivery of those services. It is a vital step in the development of a comprehensive regional framework for cancer services in the Province and represents the first element of an over-arching regional framework for cancer services. It will in the future be supplemented by detailed, transparent standards and targets for the delivery of cancer care.

Cancer Treatment

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether docetaxel is available in the Province for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Paul Goggins: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued guidance on the use of docetaxel in the treatment of hormone refractory prostate cancer in June which recommended this drug as a treatment option.
	The use of docetaxel is very much part of our current strategy for the management of this group of patients. Health and social services boards have allocated 195,000 recurrently for the introduction of this new treatment in Northern Ireland and a number of patients have commenced treatment with docetaxel in recent months.

Cancer Treatment

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what treatments for prostate cancer are available on the NHS in the Province.

Paul Goggins: There are a wide range of drug and surgical treatments available to treat prostate cancer in Northern Ireland. These include: active monitoring, hormone therapy, radiotherapy, surgery, cryosurgery and chemotherapy which may include the use of docetaxel. Treatment is always commensurate with the age, general health and stage of the disease evident with each patient and takes account of their treatment preference.

Cancer Treatment

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many patients have  (a) been diagnosed with and  (b) died from prostate cancer in the Province in each of the last 20 years.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is as follows:
	 (a) The table below details information on the incidence of prostate cancer (ICD-10C61) in Northern Ireland since 1993. Information is not available prior to 1993.
	
		
			  Table 1: Prostate cancer incidence in Northern Ireland, 1993-2004 
			   Number 
			 1993 474 
			 1994 484 
			 1995 511 
			 1996 456 
			 1997 491 
			 1998 497 
			 1999 494 
			 2000 576 
			 2001 554 
			 2002 652 
			 2003 739 
			 2004 757 
			  Notes:  1. Incidence refers to the number of new cases of a cancer diagnosed in Northern Ireland for a particular period.  2. Incidence of prostate cancer are identified using version 10 of the international classification of diseases and related health problems (ICD10). The code for prostate cancer is C61. 
		
	
	This information has been provided by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry and is the most up-to-date currently available.
	 (b) Table 2 gives the number of deaths due to prostate cancer registered in Northern Ireland over the last 20 years.
	
		
			  Table 2: Deaths in Northern Ireland due to prostate cancer( 1) 
			  Registration year  Number 
			 1986 126 
			 1987 163 
			 1988 159 
			 1989 159 
			 1990 195 
			 1991 175 
			 1992 201 
			 1993 182 
			 1994 209 
			 1995 216 
			 1996 211 
			 1997 208 
			 1998 220 
			 1999 195 
			 2000 213 
			 2001 214 
			 2002 193 
			 2003 217 
			 2004 241 
			 2005(2) 222 
			 (1 )International Classification of Diseases. Tenth Revision codes C61 for years 2001-2005 and Ninth Revision code 185 for years 1986-2000.  (2 )Provisional.

Cancer Treatment

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the number of people in the Province with prostate cancer who may be suitable for treatment with docetaxel.

Paul Goggins: An assessment of the potential demand for docetaxel in the treatment of hormone refractory prostate cancer was conducted by the Oncology and Haematology Drugs and Therapeutics Committee at Belfast City Hospital earlier this year. It is estimated that annually between 50 and 60 patients in Northern Ireland will be suitable for treatment with this drug. Health and social services boards have agreed recurrent funding of 195,000 to meet the costs of introducing docetaxel for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Cancer Treatment

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland are diagnosed as having prostate cancer.

Paul Goggins: There were 6,685 men diagnosed in Northern Ireland with prostate cancer between the start of 1993 and the end of 2004. At the end of 2004 3,435 of these cancer patients were still alive.
	This figure may represent an undercount of the actual number of people living with prostate cancer as those diagnosed prior to 1993 or after 2004 are not included. Additionally incidence of prostate cancer are increasing, mainly due to the increased use of PS A testing. This may indicate an undercount in incidence of prostate cancer prior to 1999 and thus a further undercount in prevalence figures.
	This information has been provided by the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry and is the most up to date currently available.

Chancellor's Financial Package

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many meetings have taken place between senior officials in the Department of Finance and Personnel and the Treasury regarding the Chancellor's Financial Package for Northern Ireland; what issues were discussed; and whether further meetings are planned.

David Hanson: As part of normal business, there is regular contact, in the form of meetings and other communications, between senior officials from the Department of Finance and Personnel and HM Treasury. In recent weeks these contacts have included discussion of issues relevant to the content of a financial package in the context of restoration of devolution in Northern Ireland as envisaged in the St. Andrews Agreement and following the Chancellor's announcement on 1 November. I anticipate that officials will continue to have contact with HM Treasury on this matter.

Community Restorative Justice Programmes

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the extent will be of police involvement in the day to day administration of the proposed community restorative justice programmes in Northern Ireland.

David Hanson: A protocol for Community-based Restorative Justice schemes is currently the subject of a public consultation and equality impact assessment which concludes on 13 December 2006. The protocol unequivocally requires the involvement of the police in all cases where schemes seek to address criminal offences.

Craigavon Bridge (Gas Pipeline)

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when a decision will be made on Firmus Energy's proposal to build a natural gas pipeline across Craigavon Bridge in Derry.

David Cairns: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malclm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
	 Letter from Malcolm McKibbin, dated 28 November 2006:
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding when a decision will be made on the Firmus Energy proposal to build a natural gas pipeline across Craigavon Bridge in Derry. As this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service, I have been asked to reply.
	By way of some background, I can advise that Roads Service met with Firmus Energy on 30 May 2006 and agreed that a gas pipeline could be constructed across Craigavon Bridge. This agreement was subject to Technical Approval being granted and agreement on all temporary traffic management arrangements being reached.
	Firmus subsequently applied for Technical Approval and on 21 November 2006 the Agreement in Principle to their outline proposals was issued. On receipt of their Design and Check certificates to cover their proposals, approval will be given for them to proceed, subject to preparation of approved temporary Traffic Management Plans.
	Discussions are currently ongoing with our local Traffic Section, with further meetings due in the near future, to plan the traffic management arrangements to minimise disruption. I am sure you will appreciate the importance of ensuring traffic disruption on this key route in the City is minimized, during the pipe installation work.
	In anticipation of meeting the necessary requirements, it has been agreed that work may commence on 15 January 2007, after the embargo on all non emergency road works during the Christmas period has been lifted.

Diabetes

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which health boards and trusts in Northern Ireland have developed managed clinical networks for children with diabetes.

Paul Goggins: Priorities for Action 2006-08, which sets out the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety's planning framework for the development of services, called on the Health and Social Services Boards to develop and implement a managed clinical network for children with diabetes. The Southern Health and Social Services Board have taken the lead in developing a network on behalf of all four Boards and the Board is working with health care professionals from across Northern Ireland to develop clinical guidelines and look at the IT infrastructure needed to support a network. It is expected that a fully costed proposal for a managed clinical network for children with diabetes will be finalised within the next few months.

Domestic Water Bills

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the capital-based element of the new system of domestic water bills will vary according to the location of the property irrespective of the cost of providing water.

David Cairns: The unmeasured domestic water and sewerage charges to be introduced in Northern Ireland from 1 April 2007 will be made up of a standing charge and a variable element calculated on the basis of the property capital value as follows:
	Water Charge=(Water Standing Charge)+(Water capital value Rate)x(Property Capital Value)
	Sewerage Charge=(Sewerage Standing Charge)+(Sewerage capital value Rate)x(Property Capital Value)
	The water capital value rate and the sewerage capital value rate will each be a single set rate for all unmeasured domestic customers in Northern Ireland. The level of the variable element of the charges will depend only on the property capital value. Setting a single rate for unmeasured charges irrespective of location is similar to setting volumetric charges for water and sewerage which do not vary according to the location of the property.

First-time Buyers

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to help first time homebuyers in Northern Ireland.

David Hanson: A number of initiatives have recently been introduced to assist first time buyers in Northern Ireland. The Co-ownership scheme, which has, since 1978, assisted almost 20,000 mainly first time buyers to become home owners, was amended earlier this year to make it more accessible for people on lower incomes while the starting threshold for stamp duty on property was increased to 125,000. In addition an independent housing affordability review has been initiated. This will look at barriers affecting those seeking affordable housing in both owner occupied, social and private rented sectors and make recommendations as to how these might be overcome. A progress report will be completed in December and the final recommendations will be presented to Government next spring.

Genito-urinary Medicine

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what consideration has been given to setting up a genito-urinary medicine clinic in the  (a) South and  (b) East Belfast area;
	(2)  what plans there are to increase the number of locations around the Province where genito-urinary medicine services are provided.

Paul Goggins: In April 2006 DHSSPS asked the four health and social services boards to jointly undertake a review of sexual health/GUM services in Northern Ireland. This review has been completed and a report submitted to the Department. This report will be used, in conjunction with on-going work by the Department's Service Delivery Unit, to make decisions about future service provision.

George Bruce Kelso

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the Central Services Agency inquiry into the performance of dentist George Bruce Kelso.

Paul Goggins: The Central Services Agency (CSA) undertook part of the investigation into the performance of George Bruce Kelso on behalf of the Eastern Health and Social Services Board (EHSSB). Initially this involved analysis of Mr. Kelso's pattern of dental treatment and calling in patient record cards and radiographs. Following the decision of the police in 2002 to discontinue their investigation into Mr. Kelso, the CSA assisted the EHSSB by compiling all the available records, reports, correspondence, claims and radiographs into a single master file in electronic format. This was a substantial task which was performed to a high standard. This master file was submitted to the General Dental Council (GDC) in June 2004 by the EHSSB. The Chairman of the Professional Conduct Committee of the GDC, while passing judgment on Mr. Kelso, stated 'the standard of evidence from the CSA was clear and detailed'.

George Bruce Kelso

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many of George Bruce Kelso's patients are without a dental practice as a result of his being struck off the dental registry.

Paul Goggins: Central Services Agency records from November 2006 indicate that 1,077 of Mr. Kelso's patients have not registered with another dentist.

George Bruce Kelso

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Central Services Agency became aware that 14 The Square, Portaferry was not being used for NHS dental services provision.

Paul Goggins: Mr. Kelso withdrew his name from the dental list at 14 the Square Portaferry with effect from 31 January 2001. The Central Services Agency would have been aware of this fact in January 2001.

George Bruce Kelso

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was paid out of NHS funds for dental services provided at 14 The Square, Portaferry in each of the last six years.

Paul Goggins: No health service finding has been paid for dental services at 14 The Square Portaferry over the past six years.

George Bruce Kelso

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the actions of dentist George Bruce Kelso have been the subject of a police investigation.

Paul Goggins: I can confirm that the actions of dentist George Bruce Kelso have been the subject of a police investigation. Mr. Kelso's case was referred to the RUC in 1999 as fraud was suspected. The PSNI decided in 2002 not to pursue the case further.

George Bruce Kelso

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Eastern Health and Social Services Board first informed the General Dental Council of their concerns regarding George Bruce Kelso.

Paul Goggins: The Eastern Board first wrote to the General Dental Council expressing concerns about Mr. Kelso's treatment of and behaviour towards patients on 20 March 2001.

George Bruce Kelso

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will conduct an independent review into the handling of investigations into the conduct of dentist George Bruce Kelso.

Paul Goggins: Following the erasure of dentist George Bruce Kelso from the dental register for serious professional misconduct, the Department has reviewed the management of the investigatory process into Mr. Kelso's conduct. The Department will shortly be issuing guidance to Health and Social Services Boards which will apply the lessons learnt from this case. The Department is also developing guidance for dealing with underperforming doctors and dentists and this should be available in the new year. In addition, legislative changes in 2007 will provide Health and Social Services Boards with increased powers of suspension for independent practitioners. Given the measures outlined above, I do not feel it is appropriate to conduct an independent review into this case.

George Bruce Kelso

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what mechanisms have been in place to audit the provision of NHS dental services in the NHS area including 14 The Square, Portaferry.

Paul Goggins: There is a robust framework of checks in place for all health service dental practices. The Referral Dental Service based in the DHSSPS undertakes post treatment dental examinations on a random sample of health service claims. Health Boards undertake inspections of health service dental practices in their area to ensure compliance with health and safety and other regulatory requirements. The Central Services Agency (CSA) undertakes pre-treatment checks on proposed courses of treatment which are in excess of the prior approval limit (currently 384). The CSA also generate practice profiles of all health service practices on a quarterly basis which outline individual practitioner's treatment prescribing patterns and bench mark these against local and regional averages. Since 2005, Health Boards have undertaken probity checks of a random sample of claims from all health service dentists. The practice at 14 The Square, Portaferry would have been included in those checks which were available during the years in which it operated health service dentistry (June 1995 to January 2001).

George Bruce Kelso

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much George Bruce Kelso received from NHS funds for dental services related claims in each of the last six years.

Paul Goggins: Health service earnings for George Bruce Kelso over the past six years:
	
		
			  Business year  Annual health service earnings () 
			 2000-01 117,288.55 
			 2001-02 113,540.76 
			 2002-03 117,200.41 
			 2003-04 122,546.88 
			 2004-05 109,609.67 
			 2005-06 297.77

George Bruce Kelso

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many NHS patients George Bruce Kelso had on his list when he was struck off.

Paul Goggins: Central Services Agency records indicate that Mr. Kelso had the following numbers of patients registered across three practice addresses:
	
		
			   Number of patients 
			 2001 2,869 patients registered (Portaferry(1) 24 patients; Greyabbey 1,063 patients; Newtownards 1,782) 
			 2002 2,729 patients registered (Greyabbey 997; Newtownards 1,732) 
			 2003 3,718 patients registered (Greyabbey 882; Newtownards 2,836) 
			 2004 2,576 patients registered (Greyabbey 763; Newtownards 1,813) 
			 2005 2,308 patients registered (Greyabbey 688; Newtownards 1,620) 
			 (1) Portaferry practice closed in January 2001

George Bruce Kelso

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many complaints were received on the performance of dentist George Bruce Kelso in each year of his practice.

Paul Goggins: Records of complaints against general dental practitioners are held by the relevant health and social services board, in Mr. Kelso's case this is the Eastern Health and Social Services Board (EHSSB). The EHSSB does not hold records of complaints about general dental practitioners prior to 1991. The records show that there was a total of six complaints received by the EHSSB about Mr. Kelso:
	two complaints in 2000
	two complaints in 2001
	one complaint in 2003
	one complaint in 2004.

George Bruce Kelso

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Chief Dental Officer was first informed of concerns about the performance of dentist George Bruce Kelso; and what actions were taken as a result.

Paul Goggins: Departmental records indicate that the then Chief Dental Officer would have been aware of the concerns about Mr. Kelso in early 1999 following the findings from a series of post treatment examinations undertaken by the Referral Dental Service. Following this, in accordance with procedure, the case was referred to the Eastern Health and Social Services Board (EHSSB), in its role as commissioner of this practitioner, to further manage. The EHSSB then utilised the Referral Dental Service based at the Department to undertake targeted examinations of Mr Kelso's dental treatment.

General Practioner Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of individuals from the Irish Republic who are expected to use out-of-hours GP services in the  (a) Western and  (b) Southern health board areas;
	(2)  how many individuals from Northern Ireland use out-of-hours GP services in the Irish Republic.

Paul Goggins: Co-Operation and Working Together (CAWT) plan to launch the cross-border GP out-of-hours pilot projects in two phases starting in January 2007. One project covers patients living in the Republic of Ireland, along the border area of Donegal, who would have the option of using Western Urgent Care out-of-hours services. Patient flow predictions estimate a potential maximum workload gain of 1,302 Donegal patients, equating to 25 patients per week, opting to take up the offer of using Western Urgent Care's out-of-hours services.
	A further pilot project will cover patients living in the South Armagh area who would have the option of using out-of-hours services in Castleblayney. Patient flow predictions for uptake of this service are a maximum workload gain of 931 Northern Ireland patients per annum (19 patients per week) using Castleblayney out-of-hours services.
	Data in relation to current patterns of patient flows from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland for the purposes of accessing GP out-of-hours services is not routinely collected.

General Practioner Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much funding he expects the Irish Republic to contribute for the provision of out-of-hours GP services in the  (a) Western and  (b) Southern health board areas.

Paul Goggins: In the Republic of Ireland General Medical Services (GMS) patients receive free care while non-GMS/private patients pay a fee per service at the point of delivery.
	 (a) The costs associated with treating Republic of Ireland GMS patients through the services of Western Urgent Care will be met through a Patient Choice Development Fund established by the Health Service Executive in the Republic of Ireland. The size of this fund will be determined by the volume of patient activity. Non-GMS/private patients will be charged a fee of 40 per consultation.
	 (b) For patients in defined localities within the Southern Health and Social Services Board area who would be offered the choice to use GP Out of Hours Services in the Republic of Ireland (Castleblayney), payment for this service will be met by the Southern Health and Social Services Board and will be determined by the volume of patient activity.

Haemophiliacs

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many haemophiliacs there are in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: As of August 2006 there were 113 haemophiliacs registered with the Haemophilia Centre, Belfast City Hospital.

Health Care (Self-management)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken by the NHS in Northern Ireland  (a) to encourage and  (b) to assist self-management by patients of long-term health conditions.

Paul Goggins: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has been encouraging the introduction of self-management programmes for a number of long-term health conditions. In 2006-07, the Department invested 4 million, through the General Medical Services Contract, in a number of Directed Enhanced Services. The main aim of this investment is to enable GP practices to provide effective self management training and action plans for people with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and for patients who are obese.
	The Department has also set a target which requires the HSS boards and trusts to develop proposals, by 31 December 2006 to introduce a Structured Education Programme for people with diabetes to help them manage their own condition more effectively.

Helm Report

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps have been taken in response to the Helm Report recommendation that significant improvement is required in the finance function of education and library boards in the Province.

Maria Eagle: The Helm report included 17 specific recommendations aimed at improving financial management and reporting in the education and library boards. Following the report, and in the context of the forthcoming changes to education administration structures, an action plan was agreed between the three departments that currently fond the education and library boards which set out 25 specific areas for action or improvement. I understand that 12 of these actions have already been put in place and that progress is continuing to be made on a further 11. The remaining improvements will be put in place in the context of designing the finance a accountability arrangements that will apply to the new Education and Skills Authority.

Homelessness

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people  (a) applied and  (b) were subsequently accepted as homeless in each of the Housing Executive district offices in Northern Ireland in (i) 2004 and (ii) 2005.

David Hanson: The information for the financial years 2004-06 and 2005-06 is as follows:
	
		
			   2004-05  2005-06 
			  Housing Executive District  Presented  Awarded FDA( 1)  Presented  Awarded FDA( 1) 
			 Belfast1 377 177 524 284 
			 Belfast2 700 344 869 430 
			 Belfast3 416 204 539 229 
			 Belfast4 474 251 569 278 
			 Belfast5 288 164 465 251 
			 Belfast6 760 440 940 512 
			 Belfast7 558 363 810 512 
			 Housing Advice Centre 1,092 400 1,063 389 
			 Bangor 774 401 846 423 
			 Newtownards 638 384 611 395 
			 Castlereagh 556 312 617 338 
			 Lisburn 916 456 1,201 533 
			 Lisburn (Dairyfarm) 359 162 535 280 
			 Downpatrick 519 296 533 286 
			 Banbridge 343 134 445 156 
			 Newry 675 354 825 418 
			 Armagh 154 111 207 121 
			 Brownlow 349 122 424 136 
			 Portadown 369 120 326 114 
			 Dungannon 538 200 555 274 
			 Fermanagh 543 219 581 260 
			 Ballymena 754 369 1,014 487 
			 Antrim 522 256 652 324 
			 Newtownabbey1 387 157 431 202 
			 Newtownabbey2 422 212 571 252 
			 Carrickfergus 480 179 472 180 
			 Larne 314 160 314 134 
			 Moyle 72 45 92 58 
			 Ballymoney 214 111 273 155 
			 Coleraine 748 290 753 269 
			 Waterloo Place 488 222 464 244 
			 Waterside 284 181 280 191 
			 Collon Terrace 335 219 400 237 
			 Limavady 248 122 266 112 
			 Magherafelt 194 129 180 91 
			 Strabane 207 99 145 85 
			 Omagh 171 41 203 44 
			 Cookstown 124 64 126 65 
			 Northern Ireland 17,362 8,470 20,121 9,749 
			 (1) A full duty applicant is someone who is homeless, in priority need (i.e. people with families, young persons at risk of sexual or financial exploitation, single parents and other vulnerable members of society) and not intentionally homeless.

Illegal Waste Dumping

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many complaints of the illegal dumping of waste the Environment and Heritage Service received in each year since 2003-04.

David Cairns: Since 2003-04, EHS has received a total of 4,007 complaints of illegal dumping; 167 in 2003-04, 1,260 in 2004-05, 1,339 in 2005-06 and 1,241 to date in 2006-07.

Invest Northern Ireland

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many visits have been made under the auspices of Invest Northern Ireland by potential inward investors to the East Londonderry constituency; and how many jobs have been created in the constituency in the last 12 months.

Maria Eagle: During the last 12 months there have been no visits by potential inward investors to the constituency.
	Invest NI reports on jobs promoted rather than jobs created. Over the past 12 months they have supported externally-owned companies to safeguard 787 jobs in the East Londonderry constituency, and assisted almost 200 new locally-owned business starts which are expected to promote in the region of 260 jobs.

Knockbracken Health Care Park

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are  (a) to close and  (b) to amalgamate psychiatry wards at Knockbracken Health Care Park.

Paul Goggins: Knockbracken Health Care Park is being modernised and developed into a specialist facility appropriate for the 21st century. In the future, it is envisaged that there will be fewer beds and that more individuals who require continuing care will be managed in the community. Over the next six months, the trust will carry out a process of closing a continuing care ward. This will allow improvements in the hospital environment for those remaining as inpatients. Relatives and carers will be involved in the closure process.

Limavady Central Car Park

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pay and display machines located in Limavady Central car park were out of order on each day between 13 October and 17 November.

David Cairns: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to written to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
	 Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 28 November 2006:
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding how many pay and display machines located in Limavady Central car park were out of order on a daily basis between 13 October and 17 November. As this issues fall within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service I have been asked to reply.
	As you are aware Roads Service transferred responsibility for the operation of pay and display car parks to the private contractor, National Car Parks (NCP) on 30 October 2006. Prior to the transfer, Roads Service conducted twice weekly inspections / cash collections at the three pay and display machines in the Central car park, Limavady.
	The table below details the number of pay and display machines working on each date Roads Service conducted an inspection/cash collection.
	
		
			  Date  Number of pay and display machines working 
			 17 October 2006 3 
			 19 October 2006 1 
			 24 October 2006 2 
			 26 October 2006 1 
		
	
	The table below details the number of pay and display machines working on each date NCP conducted an inspection.
	
		
			  Date  Number of pay and display machines working 
			 6 November 2006 0 
			 17 November 2006 2 
		
	
	Since the new operation started on the 30 October 2006 NCP has experienced some difficulties in relation to machine maintenance and this has resulted in some machines being out of order for longer than we would like. This is in part due to the huge task of transferring the management of maintenance and replacement of all parking equipment in Northern Ireland to one central control point. The pay and display machines currently operating in Limavady Central car park are relatively old and are soon to be replaced. A computer monitoring system, linked to the new pay and display machines will enable faults to be detected as soon as they occur. It is hoped this improved system will reduce the time machines are out of order.

Local Government Finance

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the  (a) number and  (b) proportion of households not on housing benefit who will pay  (a) more and  (b) less under the new discrete capital values system of local taxation.

David Hanson: Address information on the households which are entitled to housing benefit is not available to the Department. However, benefit claimants will not all live in houses with lower rate liability under the new system.
	Including those on benefit it is estimated that 55 per cent. of houses (approximately 385,000 households) will pay less under the system and 45 per cent. (315,000 households) pay more.

Northern Ireland Executive (Tenant Debt)

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average amount of outstanding debt owed by  (a) tenants and  (b) past tenants of the Northern Ireland Executive was at the end of 2005, broken down by district council.

David Hanson: The information is not available in the form requested. The following table details current and past tenants' debt by Housing Executive District Office at financial year end March 2006. The figures include housing benefit overpayments raised before April 2004 as well as rent and rates arrears. It is not possible to separate out these figures.
	
		
			  Current and past tenants debt at 31 March 2006 
			   
			   Average tenant debt  Average past tenant debt 
			 Belfast 1 1,381 966 
			 Belfast 2 1,190 936 
			 Belfast 3 1,268 1,101 
			 Belfast 4 1,246 958 
			 Belfast 5 1,325 783 
			 Belfast 6 1,979 1,324 
			 Belfast 7 739 690 
			 Belfast Area 1,255 924 
			 Bangor 1,218 1,105 
			 N'ards 989 658 
			 Castlereagh 1,006 900 
			 Lisburn 1,120 809 
			 Lisburn 3 1,250 857 
			 D'patrick 1,158 965 
			 S East Area 1,102 845 
			 Banbridge 1,075 458 
			 Newry 1,064 785 
			 Armagh 1,001 707 
			 Lurgan/B'low 1,050 511 
			 P'down 1,159 1,126 
			 Dungannon 1,318 885 
			 Fermanagh 1,088 488 
			 South Area 1,103 682 
			 B'mena 845 594 
			 Antrim 860 397 
			 N'abbey 1 847 597 
			 N'abbey 2 923 729 
			 Carrick 838 674 
			 Larne 805 613 
			 B'castle 865 536 
			 B'money 793 481 
			 Coleraine 891 725 
			 N East Area 857 628 
			 W'loo Place 834 392 
			 Waterside 1,408 1,200 
			 Coll Terr 1,573 664 
			 Limavady 1,196 813 
			 M'felt 1,106 522 
			 Strabane 1,251 1,099 
			 Omagh 987 771 
			 Cookstown 1,339 362 
			 West Area 1,220 820 
			 NI total 1,114 800

Parliamentary Questions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether his Department has a traffic light system in place for processing parliamentary questions, where questions are categorised using a colour code.

Peter Hain: My Department has no such system in place.

Physiotherapy

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people graduated in Northern Ireland in physiotherapy in each of the last 10 years; and how many of these  (a) are and  (b) are not employed in full-time permanent physiotherapy posts in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: The number of physiotherapy student who graduated in Northern Ireland in the last 10 years is presented as follows:
	
		
			  The number of Physiotherapy Graduates from 1996 to 2006 
			   Number of graduates 
			 2005-06 72 
			 2004-05 58 
			 2003-04 63 
			 2002-03 61 
			 2001-02 58 
			 2000-01 61 
			 1999-2000 56 
			 1998-99 66 
			 1997-98 68 
			 1996-97 62 
			  Source:  University of Ulster 
		
	
	The number of physiotherapy entrants into permanent and temporary posts within the HPSS in Northern Ireland is presented in the following table. The Department is unable to distinguish if these posts were filled by newly qualified graduates as the data is not held in this format. The Department is unable to supply information relating to private sector employment.
	
		
			  Junior Grade Physiotherapy Joiners to the NI HPSS by Mode of Employment between March 1996 and March 2006 (Headcount figures) 
			  As at March:  Permanent  Temporary  Total 
			 2005-06 34 35 69 
			 2004-05 43 18 61 
			 2003-04 45 25 70 
			 2002-03 35 26 61 
			 2001-02 40 13 53 
			 2000-01 31 07 38 
			 1999-2000 36 14 50 
			 1998-99 29 14 43 
			 1997-98 25 20 45 
			 1996-97 30 13 43 
			  Notes: Joiners figures may include: new graduates, staff transferring from private sector, staff from other countries, or staff returning after a period of unpaid leave.  Source:  Human Resources Management System

Physiotherapy

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of training a physiotherapist.

Paul Goggins: The current estimated cost of training a physiotherapy student is approximately 35,000. This figure includes university tuition fees, student bursary support and student placement costs.

Probation Service

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to contract to the private sector work undertaken by the Probation Service in Northern Ireland.

David Hanson: There are no plans at present to contract to the private sector work undertaken by the Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI). PBNI already functions on a collaborative basis with a number of statutory and voluntary bodies in providing services.

Rates Revaluation

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the estimated cost of the transitional relief scheme for the rates revaluation is in each year of operation.

David Hanson: The estimated cost of the transitional relief scheme for the rates revaluation will be 17.9 million in 2007-08, 12.0 million in 2008-09; and 6 million in 2009-10.

Rates Revaluation

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment the Government have made of whether Northern Ireland domestic rates revaluation is compliant with human rights legislation.

David Hanson: The Rates Capital Values Order 2006 and the Rates Amendment Order 2006 have been fully assessed-for compliance with Human Rights legislation in line with the requirement of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. This assessment has concluded that the legislation giving rise to the revaluation is considered to be human rights compliant.

Rates Revaluation

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how the domestic rates revaluation transitional relief scheme is being funded.

David Hanson: The cost .of the transitional relief scheme next year will be met from within the total resources available to the Secretary of State in 2007-08 and in the subsequent two years.

School Transport

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures are in place to promote safer travel for pupils attending rural schools in Northern Ireland.

David Cairns: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has written to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
	 Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin to Gregory Campbell, dated 28 November 2006:
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding what measures are in place to promote safer travel for pupils attending rural schools in Northern Ireland.
	As this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service. I have been asked to reply.
	You may be aware that Roads Service, in liaison with the Department of Education, is promoting a Safer Routes to Schools initiative, to encourage walking, cycling, greater use of public transport, and car sharing for the journey to and from school. One aspect of the project entails the introduction of traffic management measures outside schools, to create a safer local environment for children, in both urban and rural areas, to get to school. The programme is being taken forward in liaison with other statutory agencies, including the Department of the Environment's Road Safety Branch and the Health Promotion Agency.
	I should also explain that The Traffic Signs (Northern Ireland) Regulations 1997, permit road signs to be used in the vicinity of schools to warn drivers of the potential of encountering children in the road ahead, going to and from school. These signs are commonplace on our rural road network, particularly on busy roads and where speeds are high. The signs are often supplemented by flashing amber lights.
	In addition, Roads Service plan to introduce a programme of school safety zones to manage speeds specifically at rural schools where the current speed limit is 60mph. These zones will include prominent signs and road markings to draw motorists' attention to the possible presence of children at schools. Work has started on this project so that an additional 10 schools will have measures installed by the end of this current financial year and it is planned to complete work at a further 20 schools in the 2007-08 financial year. As part of this initiative, Roads Service is actively investigating the potential of introducing variable speed limits at rural schools.
	You may also be interested to know that Sustrans, the sustainable travel charity, has been offered a funding package from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Structural Fund valued at 900,000 for the purpose of protecting and enhancing the physical environment of rural areas. Following preliminary discussions with Roads Service, it has been proposed that this funding should be directed at 18 rural schools to address Safer Routes to Schools and Speed Management issues, with financial input from other Agencies. Work on implementing this project is ongoing.

School Transport

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much each education and library board in the Province spent on home-to-school transport in each of the last 10 years.

Maria Eagle: The Education and Library Boards have indicated that they incurred the following expenditure from 1996-97 (excluding FE colleges):
	
		
			   BELB  NEELB  SEELB  SELB  WELB  TOTAL 
			 1996-97 2,634,902 9,573,072 9,707,674 10,935,054 8,075,316 40,926,018 
			 1997-98 3,440,081 10,107,590 10,099,923 11,493,357 9,775,748 44,916,699 
			 1998-99 3,450,599 10,580,044 10,336,052 12,473,025 9,342,257 46,181,977 
			 1999-2000 (1) 45,635,000 
			 2000-01 3,176,375 11,614,839 10,112,226 12,944,502 9,871,818 47,719,760 
			 2001-02 4,088,222 12,252,325 10,952,195 13,479,490 10,863,615 51,635,847 
			 2000-03 4,017,000 14,152,000 11,877,000 14,841,000 12,316,614 57,203,614 
			 2000-04 4,606,000 15,255,000 12,873,308 15,216,000 11,652,219 59,602,527 
			 2004-05 4,425,000 16,806,000 13,285,000 16,367,000 13,166,564 64,049,564 
			 2005-06 4,735,475 16,507,000 13,244,799 16,334,000 13,870,963 64,692,237 
			 (1) Detailed breakdown not available   Note:  It should be noted that the figures prior to 2001-02 are on a cash basis and thereafter on an accruals accounting system.

School Transport

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he has taken to assist in meeting the Department's target of reducing spending on home-to-school transport in the incoming year.

Maria Eagle: The Department of Education has been tasked with achieving efficiency savings of 0.9 million in 2005-06 and 1.6 million in 2006-07 in respect of the home to school transport budget. Education and Library Boards in fact achieved savings of 1.7 million in 2005-06. Also a recent mid-year review has confirmed that they are on track to achieve the savings required in 2006-07.
	In facilitating these efficiency savings the Department provided 1.4 million additional capital funding in 2005-06 to enable boards to purchase additional vehicles for use on routes where it was identified that it would be more efficient to operate board vehicles rather than use alternative modes of transport.

Schools (Suspensions/Expulsions)

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  how many pupils were  (a) suspended and  (b) expelled for (i) violent behaviour and (ii) drug-related incidents in Northern Ireland schools in each of the last 10 years;
	(2)  how many illegal drug-related incidents occurred in schools in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years.

Maria Eagle: The Department does not hold information on the reasons for suspension and expulsion for each of the last 10 years. Nor does it collect specific data on drugs but statistics are available for the number of suspensions from schools for possessing, using or dealing in illegal drugs or solvents on school premises.
	From the 2002-03 school year, statistics on the reasons for suspensions have been gathered annually and relate to the number of individual suspensions not to the number of pupils suspended. With regard to violent behaviour, the Department collects statistics on the number of suspensions relating to physical attacks on staff, illustrated in the following table. In 2002-03, data on substance abuse were combined with data on alcohol abuse, however from 2003-04 substance abuse was identified separately.
	
		
			  Table 1: Suspensions 
			  2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 
			 Physical attacks on staff 365 320 262 
			 Substance abuse (1)426 421 286 
			 (1) Includes alcohol abuse 
		
	
	The reasons for expulsion were first collected in 2003-04. The Department collects statistics on the number of expulsions relating to physical attacks on staff. Again, specific data for drugs were not collected, however there are statistics available for suspensions for possessing, using or dealing illegal drugs and solvents on school premises. In 2003-04, data on substance abuse were combined with data on alcohol abuse, however in 2004-05 substance abuse was identified separately.
	
		
			  Table 2: Expulsions 
			   2003-04  2004-05 
			 Physical attacks on staff 7 7 
			 Substance abuse (1)14 10 
			 (1) Includes alcohol abuse. 
		
	
	Each year, data on suspensions and expulsions requested from the Education and Library Boards have become more comprehensive and, from the 2002-03 school year the Department has been publishing this information on its website, www.deni.gov.uk.

Sexual Orientation (Discrimination)

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many responses he has received from  (a) organisations and  (b) individuals to the consultations by the Office of First and Deputy First Minister on (i) proposals to outlaw discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation in the provision of goods, facilities and services and (ii) its draft sexual orientation strategy; and if he will place the responses in the Library.

David Hanson: The consultation on the proposals to outlaw discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation in the provision of goods, facilities and services received:
	 (a) 39 responses from organisations; and
	 (b) 334 responses from individuals.
	The consultation on the draft sexual orientation strategy received:
	 (a) 18 responses from organisations; and
	 (b) 0 responses from individuals.
	Copies of all the consultation responses from both consultations are being placed in the Library.

Sexual Orientation (Discrimination)

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 were published prior to the publication of the results of the consultation by the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister on proposals to outlaw discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation in the provision of goods, facilities and services; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: It was always the intention to publish the consultation responses and the Government's views on them around the same time as the Regulations were published.
	The results of the consultation are now on the OFMDFM website along with all the consultation responses received. In line with a request in a separate parliamentary question from the hon. Gentleman, copies of the consultation responses are being placed in the Library.

Tarlov Cyst

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what services are available in the Province to people with a Tarlov cyst.

Paul Goggins: Tarlov cysts can be detected, treated and managed by orthopaedic specialists across the Province. It may often be managed in conjunction with neurosurgical inputalthough this is not exclusively the case.

Tarlov Cyst

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  how many operations for Tarlov cysts have been performed in the Province in each of the last 10 years.
	(2)  how many patients from Northern Ireland have been referred for surgery for a Tarlov cyst to England in each of the last 10 years.
	(3)  what estimate he has made of the number of patients in the Province diagnosed with a Tarlov cyst.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is not available.

Tarlov Cyst

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland where patients in Northern Ireland with a Tarlov cyst are referred to if treatment is not available in the Province.

Paul Goggins: Decisions on referral are made on the basis of the individual case. Most cases of Tarlov cysts can be managed in Northern Ireland. Where a very specialised procedure is required then the patient will be referred to an appropriate UK facility.

Tattoos

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the annual costs to the health service in the Province of the removal of tattoos.

Paul Goggins: The episodes arising in a hospital daycase or in-patient environment which were specifically identified as including removal of tattoos were as follows:
	
		
			  Financial year  Number of daycases  Total cost 000 
			 2004-05 183 61 
		
	
	Further information is not available.

Traffic Control Staff

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many traffic control attendants are employed by the Department for Regional Development Roads Service in Northern Ireland.

David Cairns: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has written to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
	 Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin to Gregory Campbell, dated 28 November 2006:
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding how many traffic control attendants are currently employed by the Department for Regional Development Roads Service in Northern Ireland. As this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service, I have been asked to reply.
	You will be aware that the responsibility for enforcing parking regulations was recently transferred from the Police Service of Northern Ireland to the Department for Regional Development. I should explain that National Car Parks Ltd. (NCP) was awarded the contract for the Operation of Parking and Enforcement Services on 18 August 2006, and their contract commenced on 30 October 2006. NCP are now responsible for employing Traffic Attendants to carry out the enforcement of parking regulations on behalf of Roads Service. These Traffic Attendants do not have any responsibility for directing traffic.
	There are currently 129 Traffic Attendants employed by NCP to provide enforcement of parking regulations and this number will subsequently rise to approximately 178 to meet the deployment requirements stated in the Contract.

Victims' Commissioner Appointment

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement in response to the criticisms made of his Departments by Mr. Justice Girvan.

Peter Hain: The Attorney General has announced that the issues raised by Mr. Justice Girvan in his judgment will be inquired into. There will be full co-operation with that inquiry. I absolutely reject any suggestion that there was a deliberate attempt to mislead the court in relation to the appointment of Bertha McDougall to undertake important preparatory work prior to the appointment of a Victims' Commissioner, including providing me with a report on Justice for Victims.

Water Service

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the asset value is of the  (a) vehicles and  (b) plant referred to in the answer of 30 October 2006,  Official Report, column 205W; and why vehicles and plant will not be covered by the draft licence which is being developed by the Department of Regional Development.

David Cairns: The asset value of  (a) the vehicles was 4,010,000 and  (b) the plant 2,056,000 (this relates to mobile plant). The licence has been developed taking account of regulatory best practice in the sector and the inclusion of such assets within the licence does not reflect best practice.

Water Service

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the estimated transformation costs are in 2006-07 and 2007-08 for Water Service to Northern Ireland Water Ltd.

David Cairns: The Invest to Save budget for 2006-07 is 39.5millon. This funds transformation costs including major projects to deliver efficiencies and operational improvements. The transformation budget for the financial year 2007-08 will be defined in the strategic business plan which has not yet been finalised.

Water Service

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which companies held the four contracts extended beyond the original agreement dates referred to in the answer of 30 October 2006,  Official Report, column 191W; and what percentage of the original contract the extension value represented.

David Cairns: The hon. Gentleman's previous question had asked how many contracts, related to the reform of water and sewerage services since 2001, had been extended in terms of (a) costs and (b) services required.
	The information requested on each of the four contracts referred to in the answer of 30 October 2006,  Official Report, column 191W, is as follows:
	The Strategic and Financial Consultancy was provided by a UBS-led consortium; the contract was extended by 33,700 which represents just under 9 per cent. of the original contract value.
	The Financial Advisory consultancy was let to Deloitte and Touche; this contract was extended by 351,000 and represents a 30 per cent. increase in the value of the original contract.
	The Programme Management Consultancy was let to Hedra Consortium and was extended by 95,000; this represents an 86 per cent. increase in the value of the original contract.
	With regard to the efficiencies and risk management consultancies, on further examination these were each let under separate contracts to the same firm (Ashburn Consulting). Neither contract was extended or exceeded the planned value. I apologise for the error in the answer of 30 October 2006.

Water Service

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the reasons were for the overspend on consultancy budgets for the Water Service referred to in the answer of 30 October 2006,  Official Report, column 191W.

David Cairns: There is no reference in the answer of 30 October 2006,  Official Report, column 191W, to overspends on consultancy budgets for the Water Service.
	The reasons for the extensions referred to are set out in the answer of 30 October.

Water Service

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what factors were taken into account when determining the salary of the  (a) chief executive,  (b) chairman and  (c) non-executive directors of the Water Service.

David Cairns: In considering the remuneration for all of these positions the Department took account of the need to strike a balance between attracting the calibre of individuals required for these high profile posts and the impact on current and future appointments in the Northern Ireland public sector.

Water Supplies

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what role has been given to the Northern Ireland General Consumer Council in developing the Strategic Business Plan and Water Reform.

David Cairns: The Department has sought the views of the General Consumer Council on an early draft of the Strategic Business Plan consistent with the council's statutory role as defined in the General Consumer Council (Northern Ireland) Order 1984.
	The Government welcome the strong support that the General Consumer Council has given to the principle of paying for water and sewerage services. The Department has worked closely with the Consumer Council in the development of water reform policy consistent with the council's current statutory role as defined in article 4 of the General Consumer Council (Northern Ireland) Order 1984 and also with the future role it will have as set out in articles 45 to 59 of the Draft Water and Sewerage Services (NI) Order 2006.

Water Supplies

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what role has been given to the Strategic Investment Board in developing water reform in Northern Ireland.

David Cairns: The Strategic Investment Board is assisting the Department with the water reform programme consistent with its statutory remit set out in The Strategic Investment and Regeneration of Sites (Northern Ireland) Order 2003.

Water Supplies

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what role the Northern Ireland General Consumer Council will play in reviewing the Strategic Business Plan for Northern Ireland Water Ltd.

David Cairns: The Government welcome the strong support that the General Consumer Council has given to the principle of paying for water and sewerage services. The future role of the General Consumer Council is set out in the articles 45-59 of the draft Water and Sewerage Services (NI) Order 2006. In discharging its consumer representation role, the Consumer Council may wish to monitor the service provided by Northern Ireland Water Ltd. against the targets set out in the company's business plan.

Wind Farms

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether the offshore wind farm proposals for the Tunes Plateau near Portstewart has  (a) been amended and  (b) progressed over the last 12 months.

Maria Eagle: No formal application has yet been received in respect of the consents that would be required for the proposed development. We are not aware of any actions taken by the development consortium that have amended or progressed the proposal over the past 12 months.

Winter Fuel Payments

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects all recipients of the winter fuel payment in Northern Ireland to have received their payments for 2006-07.

David Hanson: Individuals in Northern Ireland, who are automatically entitled to a winter fuel payment or who submitted a claim before 24 September 2006 can expect to receive their payment before Christmas. Payments to those whose claims are received after 24 September 2006 and before the closing date of 30 March 2007 will receive their payment as soon as possible depending on when their claim was received.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

Departmental Bodies

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many staff are employed by the Office of the Third Sector, broken down by salary band.

Hilary Armstrong: The numbers of staff employed in individual Cabinet Office units will be set out in the Department's annual reports and accounts.

Departmental Bodies

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many staff are employed by the  (a) Social Exclusion Taskforce and  (b) Better Regulation Executive in each salary band.

Hilary Armstrong: The numbers of staff employed in individual Cabinet Office units will be set out in the Department's annual reports and accounts.

Departmental Costs

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much was spent on vehicles by  (a) the Cabinet Office and  (b) the Prime Minister's Office in each year since 1997-98; and how much each office plans to spend in 2006-07.

Hilary Armstrong: I refer the hon. Member to the letter sent by the then Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Murphy) to the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire (Pete Wishart) on 6 February 2006. A copy of this is available in the Library for the reference of Members. Information on the cost and numbers of vehicles provided by the Government Car and Despatch Agency for 2005-06 will be published shortly.

Departmental Staff

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many full-time equivalent staff work in  (a) the Cabinet Office Parliamentary Branch,  (b) the Infrastructure Division and  (c) the Cabinet Office Communication Group.

Hilary Armstrong: The numbers of staff employed in individual Cabinet Office units will be set out in the Department's annual reports and accounts.

Departmental Staff

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what training courses are available to staff in the Cabinet Office.

Patrick McFadden: Cabinet Office staff have the opportunity to develop and improve their skills continuously in accordance with our commitment to Investors in People and in line with Professional Skills for Government.

Departmental Staff

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether any of her staff in the Cabinet Office are classed as key workers for the purposes of the low-cost home ownership or shared ownership schemes.

Patrick McFadden: There are currently no staff in the Cabinet Office who are classed as key workers for the purposes of the low-cost home ownership or shared ownership schemes.

Departmental Statistics

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster which statistics have been put forward by her Department for consideration to become new national statistics in each of the last five years; and how many statistics sets her Department has produced in total in each of the last five years.

Patrick McFadden: The current list of National Statistics produced by the Cabinet Office can be found on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/about/ns_ons/nsproducts/default.asp
	A list of changes to the scope of National Statistics (additions and withdrawals) in each of the last five years can be found in the relevant National Statistics annual report available on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=1051
	In addition to National Statistics, the Cabinet Office publishes a wide range of other numerical information in a variety of forms including other data produced from the management and administration of the Department and in research reports. There is no consistent definition of the term statistics sets and no centrally held information on the total published in each year on this basis.

Gender Equality

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps she is taking to ensure that private organisations contracted to work in the Cabinet Office are aware of their duties under gender equality legislation when they are exercising public functions on behalf of public bodies.

Patrick McFadden: The Cabinet Office's contract conditions require suppliers and their sub-contractors to comply with the provisions of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (SDA).
	Cabinet Office recognises that the Equality Act 2006 will extend the SDA so as to ensure the avoidance of sex discrimination in the exercising of all public functions, and that this duty will also apply to any organisations contracted to exercise public functions on our behalf. We will review the steps currently taken to ensure compliance with the new legislation as part of the development of our gender equality scheme to be published in April 2007.

Get Safe Online

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much the Get Safe Online website has cost since 2000; how many hits the website has received in the same period; and who maintains the website.

Patrick McFadden: The getsafeonline.org website has cost approximately 350,000 since work began on it in 2005. The Government have contributed approximately 80,000 to its development, the remainder coming from the private sector. It has received just over one million visits since it was set up in October 2005. The October 2006 campaign phase achieved 93,285 visitors to the site and further activity is planned for the year's busy online Christmas shopping period.
	The website is maintained by NQ Content on behalf of the Get Safe Online initiative.

Ministerial Residences

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster who the residents are of the three ministerial residences in Admiralty House.

Hilary Armstrong: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) on 23 October 2006,  Official Report, column 1625W.

V

John Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what proportion of the 2006-07 budget of v has been allocated to charities it was supporting prior to its relaunch; and how much was provided to such charities in the six months  (a) before and  (b) after the relaunch.

Edward Miliband: V was launched as an independent charity on Monday 8 May 2006. Prior to that date the Russell Commission Implementation Team at the Home Office supported a capacity building small grants programme which provided Home Office funding to the amount of 620,287 to 45 projects21 organisations were awarded grants under the best practice strand and 24 under the developing strategies strand.
	Of these 45 projects, 14 organisations received funding from both the Home Office sponsored small grants programme in 2005-06 and the first v grants round for programmes in 2006-07. The organisations received a total of 154,681 in the 2005-06 one year grants round.
	The same organisations then applied for further funding in the July 2006 v grants round. This grants round, the first provided by v, covers a three-year period and the organisations will receive just under 2 million of funding over the three years, equivalent to 15 per cent. of the total for projects in this grants round.
	These grants have provided 11,000 volunteering opportunities for young people in programmes across England. The opportunities allow the young people to volunteer in projects which give them new ways to engage with their local community, develop their confidence and skills and have fun while increasing employability.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Benefits Eligibility

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in each parliamentary constituency in Scotland are eligible for  (a) council tax benefit,  (b) winter fuel payments,  (c) disability living allowance, (d) housing benefit and  (e) pension credit.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available.

Departmental Pay Awards

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on what date the annual pay award for departmental staff has been implemented in each of the last five years.

Anne McGuire: The Senior Civil Service (SCS) have a separate pay award to the rest of the DWP staff. The following table shows the month in which each group received their pay award each year. Salary is actually paid on the last working day of the month.
	
		
			   AA to Grade 6  SCS 
			 2002 November 2002 July 2002 
			 2003 Stage 1 awardNovember 2003 Stage 2 awardMay 2004; July 2003 
			 2004 Interim paymentNovember 2004, Full awardMarch 2005 July 2004 
			 2005 July 2005 July 2005 
			 2006 July 2006 Stage 1July 2006 Stage 2November 2006 
			  Note: The effective date for DWP pay awards are the 1 April for SCS and 1 July for all other grades.

Identity Cards

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much expenditure has been incurred by his Department in each year since 1996-97 on the development of a national identity card scheme and related provisions; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave him on 6 November 2006,  Official Report, column 924W.

Local Housing Allowance

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the take up of local housing allowance has been in Edinburgh since 9 February 2004; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available.

Norcross

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the security guards based at Norcross were given the option of transferring within the Civil Service prior to their transfer to Group 4.

Anne McGuire: Although there were no specific redeployment exercises for these staff, opportunities to seek redeployment within the Department for Work and Pensions were available in the usual way.

Pathfinder Schemes

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much unpaid rent is estimated to be owed to landlords in each Pathfinder scheme.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available.

Post Office Card Account

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on progress in developing a successor to the Post Office Card Account.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 23 November 2006
	We are still talking to Post Office Ltd. about the range of accounts that can be accessed at post offices, both now and in the future.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry will make a statement on the future of the post office network before the end of the year. This will include information on accounts which can be used at post office branches.

TREASURY

Child Care

Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assumptions about take-up were made when formulating the estimated costs to the Exchequer of the employer-supported child care measures outlined in table A1.1 of Budget 2005.

Dawn Primarolo: The assumptions about take-up made when formulating the estimated costs to the Exchequer of the employer-supported child care measure outlined in table A1.1 of Budget 2005 are documented in the published Regulatory Impact Assessment.
	www.hmrc.gov.uk/ria/emp-supp-childcare.pdf

Climate Change

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his estimate of the social cost of carbon includes an element for the cost of potential climate-related catastrophes.

John Healey: A Government Economic Service working paper Estimating the Social Cost of Carbon Emissions suggests illustrative values for the social damage cost of carbon that can be used to estimate the monetary value of impacts once they have been quantified. This excludes any consideration of the probability of 'climate catastrophes'. The Government are re-examining this, with the Stern Review on the economics of climate change informing our conclusions.

Departmental Pensions

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total pension liabilities for employees of his Department and its agencies.

John Healey: The Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme is an unfunded multi-employer defined benefit scheme and individual Departments' pension liabilities are not available.

EU Membership

Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will undertake a cost/benefit analysis of EU membership.

Edward Balls: Membership of the European Union is central to the pursuit of stability, growth and employment in the UK. Membership of the EU provides significant benefits for UK business and employment: Britain's trade with the European Union has grown from just over 40 per cent. of our total trade in 1973 when we joined to around 55 per cent. today, and the Government estimates 3 million jobs in the UK are linked to the export of goods and services to the EU. The Government's publication Growth and Opportunity: Prioritising Economic Reform in Europe highlighted the costs of remaining barriers to enterprise, competition and trade in the EU and the importance of economic reform to address these.

Innovation Fund

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide details of the Innovation Fund to support Research, Development and Innovation in Northern Ireland which he announced on Wednesday 1 November 2006 as part of his economic package for Northern Ireland; what levels of funding will be provided to the Innovation Fund; and for how many financial years it is planned to operate.

John Healey: The Chancellor announced a funding package for Northern Ireland on 1 November 2006 in support of the St. Andrew's Agreement. The details were set out in the attached press notice:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/newsroom and speeches/press/2006/press_82_06.cfm.
	In addition to this package, the Chancellor proposed an innovation fund for Northern Ireland to leading members of the Northern Ireland parties and has asked officials to work up outline details of the proposal. No decisions have yet been made on the fund.

Insurance Premiums

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will bring forward legislation to end the practice of demanding additional insurance premiums from pensioners for holiday and other leisure purposes.

Edward Balls: The Government do not prescribe the terms and conditions that insurance companies may set when offering insurance, nor does it intervene in the commercial decisions of insurers. As a rule, insurers use their claims experience and other industry-wide statistics to set the terms on which they offer insurance cover.
	The Government's Discrimination Law Review is currently considering whether there is a case for prohibiting age discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services, including insurance. The Government expect to publish a Green Paper around the turn of the year. The Green Paper is intended to lead to a Single Equality Bill, in line with the Government's manifesto commitment to introduce such a Bill during this Parliament.

Office of Government Commerce

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which 20 Key Programmes he has agreed with the Office of Government Commerce.

John Healey: There are currently 15 Key Programmes, which are:
	Bichard Inquiry Programme
	Child Support Agency Redesign / Operational Improvement Plan
	Criminal Justice System IT
	Crossrail
	Defence Change Programme
	e-Borders
	Emergency Services Radiocommunications
	Fire Resilience Programme
	ID Cards
	Information Sharing Index
	National Offender Management Service
	NHS National Programme for IT
	2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
	Rural Payments Agency
	Thames Gateway.
	A programme's inclusion on, or removal from, the list is approved by the Prime Minister on the recommendation of the chief executive of OGC.

Olympic Games

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the role of his Department was in drawing up the Olympic bid budget; and what process was followed in approving the final document.

Stephen Timms: The Olympic bid folder was agreed collectively by Government in November 2004, prior to the publication of the bid that month.

Secondments

Iain Duncan Smith: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which staff in his Department are seconded from organisations with charitable status; and which have  (a) costs and  (b) salaries met (i) in part and (ii) in whole (A) from public funds and (B) by the charity from which they are seconded.

John Healey: HM Treasury has one member of staff seconded in from an organisation with charitable status. Their salary and associated costs are met in line with the normal arrangements of paying secondees to HMT, ie the parent organisation pays the employee's salary and HMT reimburses the full cost.

Solvency II Directive

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  when he expects the Solvency II directive to come into effect;
	(2)  when he expects agreement to be reached on the Solvency II directive;
	(3)  what effect the proposed Solvency II directive will have on the limits and restrictions on the type of assets which may be held to cover capital requirements by insurance companies; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what representations he has received from the Financial Services Authority on the implications of the Solvency II directive;
	(5)  what representations he has received from insurance companies about the impact of the Solvency II directive;
	(6)  what assessment he has made of the (a) costs and (b) benefits of the implementation of the Solvency II directive to the (i) insurance industry and (ii) consumers;
	(7)  when he last discussed the Solvency II directive with  (a) other EU counterparts and  (b) the European Commission.

Edward Balls: The European Commission has announced that it will publish the Solvency II directive in July 2007. The legislative proposal will then need to be adopted by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. The date of implementation of the directive will be subject to their agreement. It is not expected that implementation will be earlier than 2010 or 2011.
	The amount of time required to reach agreement on the directive is uncertain and will depend on a range of factors. The UK Government is supportive of the Solvency II project and will therefore work with other EU member states to achieve agreement to the directive without undue delay. HM Treasury participates in regular meetings of the European Commission's Working Group on Insurance Solvency and meetings of the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Committee (EIOPC).
	The Solvency II directive has not yet been adopted by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament and therefore its effects on the limits and restrictions on the type of assets which may be held to cover capital requirements by insurance companies remain uncertain. The Government's views on this issue have been outlined in a joint discussion paper by HM Treasury and the Financial Services Authority: Solvency II: a new framework for prudential regulation of insurance in the EU.
	HM Treasury and the Financial Services Authority are working together closely on the Solvency II project. HM Treasury and the FSA have jointly produced two discussion papers on Solvency II: Solvency II: a new framework for prudential regulation of insurance in the EU and Supervising insurance groups under Solvency II:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk./media/B13/CO/solvencyII_discussionpaper.pdf
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk./media/BD8/46/solvencyii061006.pdf
	HM Treasury has received representations from insurance companies, the Association of British Insurers and the Association of Mutual Insurers in respect of the discussion papers. HM Treasury is in regular dialogue with stakeholders on Solvency II issues.
	The Solvency II directive has not yet been adopted by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. At this stage it is not possible to determine accurately the costs and benefits of the directive. The Government's view is that the directive can generate significant economic benefits by deepening the EU Single Market in insurance services. The directive has support in principle from industry stakeholders including the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
	The European Commission is required to publish an impact assessment of the Solvency II directive. HM Treasury will publish a partial Regulatory Impact Assessment in summer 2007 in order to assess the costs and benefits to the UK insurance industry and UK consumers.

Terrorism

Michael Gove: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Government of Saudi Arabia on the financing of terrorist activity; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Balls: The Government maintain an intensive and on-going dialogue with its international partners, including Saudi Arabia, as part of global efforts to deter, detect and disrupt the financing of terrorism.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Departmental Staff

Vincent Cable: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether people employed  (a) through employment agencies and  (b) on a consultancy basis are included in the calculations for the full-time equivalent staff mentioned in her Department's annual report.

Vera Baird: The calculations for full-time equivalent staff mentioned in my Department's annual report do not include people employed through employment agencies or those employed on a consultancy basis.

Departmental Statistics

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs which statistics have been put forward by her Department for consideration to become new national statistics in each of the last five years; and how many statistics sets her Department has produced in total in each of the last five years.

Vera Baird: During the past five years, Ministers in the Department for Constitutional Affairs (and its predecessor the Lord Chancellor's Department) have not put forward any additional titles for designation as national statistics.
	However, in February 2006, the Department substantially expanded the scope of its quarterly national statistics release on court proceedings for housing repossession. This release, which had previously contained statistics on mortgage possession proceedings, was broadened also to include statistics on social and private landlords' possession proceedings for the first time.
	During the past five years, the department has published a total of six national statistics titles, as follows:
	Average time from arrest to sentence for persistent young offenders (monthly).
	Company winding-up and bankruptcy petition statistics (quarterly).
	Mortgage and landlord possession statistics (quarterly).
	Time intervals for criminal proceedings in the magistrates' courts (quarterly).
	Magistrates' courts waiting time on the day and user reaction surveys (six-monthly, discontinued from September 2006).
	Judicial statistics (annual, withdrawn from national statistics from 2006).
	In addition to these national statistics, the Department for Constitutional Affairs publishes a wide range of other numerical information in a variety of forms including other data produced from the management and administration of the Department and in research reports. There is no consistent definition of the term statistics sets and no centrally held information on the total published in each year on this basis.

Electoral Registration

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of Hendon residents entitled to vote who do not appear on the electoral register; if she will take steps to improve registration in Hendon; and if she will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: The total number of people on the electoral register in the London borough of Barnet (which includes Hendon) at 1 December 2005 is 50,200 fewer than the estimated number of adults usually resident in the borough in mid-2005. However, there are a number of limitations to this comparison. These include the differing reference dates, the unknown number of residents who may not be eligible to vote (e.g. on nationality grounds), the unknown number of electors who are not usually resident (e.g. expatriates) and the margin of confidence of the population estimate. For these reasons, the figure should be used with caution.
	Comparable data solely for the Hendon constituency are not available.
	The Government have already taken steps to improve registration rates including the following:
	We led the 1824 Collective campaign, which was aimed at encouraging young people to register before the London borough elections in May 2006.
	The Electoral Administration Act 2006 includes a new duty on electoral registration officers (EROs) to take all necessary steps to ensure comprehensive registers.
	The deadline for registration has been moved to just eleven days before an election.
	The independent Electoral Commission will be setting performance standards for registration services.

Electronic Voting

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will require personal identifiers to be provided for remote electronic voting, in addition to the Electoral Administration Act's legal requirement for them to be used for postal voting.

Bridget Prentice: We will require identifiers to be used in the processes for remote e-voting pilots and potentially this could include dates of birth or other appropriate credentials for use in verification.
	The credentials used will depend on the content of the individual pilots proposed by local authorities and may include some identifiers such as personal identification numbers generated by electors themselves.
	The May 2007 pilots will be an opportunity further to develop and test methods of enhancing the security of remote e-voting.

Election Pilot Schemes

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether election pilot schemes will be used in any of the Welsh Assembly elections in 2007.

Peter Hain: I have been asked to reply.
	No current legislation allows the use of pilots only at local authority elections. The Government believe that new methods of voting need to be tested thoroughly before they can be rolled out more widely.

Information Commissioner

Mike Hancock: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what plans she has for the renewal of the contract of the Information Commissioner in 2007; and if she will make a statement.

Vera Baird: The Information Commissioner is appointed by Her Majesty by Letters Patent for a term not exceeding five years. The Department's plans for when the Commissioner's term of office expires in 2007 will be based on the procedures in the Code of Practice of the Commissioner for Public Appointments which sets out the terms and criteria for appointments and re-appointments to public bodies within the remit of the Commissioner for Public Appointments.

Legal Aid

David Burrowes: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs from whom guidance is issued on the practice of magistrates courts refusing to issue application forms for criminal legal aid.

Vera Baird: The magistrates courts carry out means testing in accordance with guidance issued by the Legal Services Commission, who have statutory responsibility for the grant of legal aid. The guidance states that magistrates courts should provide forms in an emergency, for example if a lawyer has no forms with him.
	Stocks of forms are widely and easily available to solicitors online or by order from the Legal Services Commission at no cost to solicitors.

MMR/MR (Litigation Costs)

John Baron: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the cost was of payments to each of the three lead barristers who provided advice on the merits of the MMR/MR litigation; and which barristers received those payments.

Vera Baird: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the previous answer I gave to him on the funding of the MMR/MR vaccine litigation on 2 November 2006,  Official Report, column 552W.

WALES

Departmental Staff

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many staff were employed through employment agencies in  (a) his Department and  (b) each of its agencies in each of the last five years for which information is available; and what the (i) average and (ii) longest time was for which these temporary workers were employed in each year.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office employs temporary staff to undertake specific projects, to cover vacant posts during recruitment campaigns and to fill posts where suitable permanent staff cannot be found. Figures are not available for years prior to 2003-04, and this information could be gathered only at disproportionate cost.
	In 2003-04 21 staff were employed through employment agencies, with average employment of nine weeks and longest of 43 weeks.
	In 2004-05 the number of temporary staff employed reduced to 16, with average employment of 15 weeks and longest of 43 weeks.
	In 2005-2006 there was a further reduction to nine staff over the year, with average employment of 18 weeks and longest of 45 weeks.

Legislative Programme

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a written ministerial statement on the Application of the Government's Legislative Programme to Wales setting out the significant measures of relevance to Wales and their likely impact.

Peter Hain: A Welsh Grand debate on the UK legislative programme has been arranged for 13 December 2006 where there will be opportunity to discuss the Government's legislative proposals and implications for Wales.

Public Appointments

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales which public appointments have been made by his Department to former Ministers who have served in the Government since May 1997.

Peter Hain: None.

Renewable Energy

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much energy consumed by his Department is acquired from renewable sources.

Peter Hain: In June 2003 the Wales Office became a separate entity within the Departmental of Constitutional Affairs (DCA) and as such our energy is supplied under DCA contracts. Since 2003-04 at least 10 per cent. of all electricity supplied to the DCA comes from renewable sources.

Valuation Office Agency

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will place in the Library a copy of each Wales Council Tax Revaluation Circular produced by the Valuation Office Agency since January 2003.

Peter Hain: I have asked the Valuation Office Agency to provide the documents requested. Copies will be placed in the Library, and I will notify the hon. Member as soon as they become available.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent by the United Kingdom in compensating Afghan farmers after the elimination of poppy crops in each of the past four years; and how much has been received by the farmers.

Kim Howells: The Government provided 21.25 million in support of the Afghan interim administration's 2002 compensated eradication programme. The Afghan government considered it appropriate to offer farmers one off payments in 2002 because the 2002 crop was planted before the administration came to power. We provided support because we believed it was important to support a new administration determined to take tough decisions to tackle drugs, but it was the responsibility of the Afghan authorities to implement the programme and to make payments to farmers. Eradication in 2003-06 has not been compensated.

Afghanistan

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much has been paid by the UK Government to the Government in Afghanistan in each of the last four years; and what the purpose was of each such payment.

Kim Howells: Based on the Development Aid Committee aid categories of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the following table details the non-military funds committed to Afghanistan over the past four years by the Department for International Development, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Global Conflict Prevention Pool. 70 per cent. of this UK assistance to Afghanistan is channelled through the line ministries of the Afghan government.
	
		
			   million 
			   2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			  Social-administrative infrastructure 
			 Water supply and sanitation   3   
			 Government and civil society 26 100.1 108.8 60 78 
			  Economic infrastructure 
			 Communication   0.5 0.5 0.5 
			 Business and private sector  0.3 1 0.55 1 
			  Production 
			 Agriculture, forestry and fishing 0.3 6.3 7.8 46 30 
			 Industry, mining and construction   0.6 1 1 
			 Trade and tourism0.005  
			  Other 
			 Counter-narcotics  1.6 10 48.6 51 
			 Environmental protection2.41 2 
			 Women in development -   0.8 0.7 
			 Debt relief 12.7 
			 Emergency assistance 44.5 10 3   
			 Total 83.5 118.3 134.7 159.87 164.2

African Union (Peacekeeping Forces)

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with the Nigerian Government on  (a) renewal of the mandate to provide peacekeepers to the African Union (AU) in Darfur and  (b) whether the UN should pay a per diem amount for each soldier deployed by the AU.

Geoff Hoon: We engage regularly with Nigeria on matters relating to the African Union (AU) Mission in Sudan (AMIS), most recently at a high level meeting on the future of AMIS held in Addis Ababa on 16 November. That meeting, which was chaired by Kofi Annan and Alpha Oumar Konare and attended by the permanent members of the UN Security Council and key African states, agreed on the way forward for AMIS, on the clear understanding that its mandate would need to be renewed. As part of this, it agreed on the need for UN funding of the force. Once finalised, this financial arrangement should enable the AU to pay per diems to AMIS troops on a more regular basis. There are no current plans for the UN to pay per diems directly to AU soldiers.

Bolivia

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of civil liberties and political freedom in Bolivia; and what assessment she has made of the actions of certain of Bolivia's regional governors vis--vis the central government.

Kim Howells: We welcomed the democratic election of the Government of President Morales last December and recognise the clear mandate for change that this signalled. Bolivia faces many challenges as it undergoes this process of change and we are aware of strong criticism, including from some regional governors, of President Morales' approach. It is important that any process of change should take account of the views of all sectors of Bolivian society, and respect all the democratic institutions within the country, including both houses of Congress and regional governors. We call on all parties to maintain an open and constructive dialogue to ensure the future prosperity of Bolivia.

Cuba

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the classified section of the updated US Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba report.

Kim Howells: The US Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba report is a US report to the US President. The classified section has not been released and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has not seen it.

Cuba

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the announcement by the US State Department on 13 October 2006 of a working group of EU nations to accelerate regime change in Cuba.

Kim Howells: The US State Department announcement of 13 October 2006 referred to an informal grouping called Friends of Democratic Cuba, including Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania and Slovenia, supporting a peaceful transition to democracy in Cuba. This is not an EU working group.
	The UK/EU is committed to encouraging a process of peaceful transition towards a pluralist democracy in Cuba - in line with the EU Common Position of 1996. The existing EU working group on Latin America regularly discusses implementation of this policy.

Cuba

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the compatibility of the extra-territorial activities of the US Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba with the EU common position on Cuba.

Kim Howells: The US Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba recommends continued application of the US Helms-Burton (Libertad) Act, which includes extra-territorial provisions affecting those who engage in travel and trade with Cuba. The UK/EU continue to make clear our opposition to this US embargo through our vote in favour of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution on the necessity of ending that embargo. In particular, the UK/EU opposes the extra-territorial extension of the US embargo.

Cuba

Colin Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of  (a) the compatibility of the policies of the US Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba with Article 2 of the Charter of the United Nations and  (b) the impact of those policies on states acting in accordance with them.

Kim Howells: The Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba consists of senior US politicians and consideration of its recommendations is a matter for the US government. UK/EU policy on Cuba continues to differ from that of the US. Whilst US policy continues to favour sanctions against Cuba, the UK is committed to the 1996 EU Common Position which seeks constructive engagement and dialogue with both government and civil society in Cuba.

Departmental Staff

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether people employed  (a) through employment agencies and  (b) on a consultancy basis are included in the calculations for the full-time equivalent staff mentioned in her Department's annual report.

Geoff Hoon: The staff figures given in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's annual departmental report do not include members of staff employed through employment agencies or on a consultancy basis.

East Asia

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the influence of Jemaah Islamiyah on stability in East Asia.

Kim Howells: Jemaah Islamiyah continues to pose a threat in Indonesia. We have a close and effective working relationship with the Indonesian Government on counter terrorism.

EU Constitution

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made on the Government's thinking on the future of the Constitutional Treaty for the European Union since 26 October 2006; and when the Minister for Europe will set out the underlying principles of the Government's approach.

Geoff Hoon: The German Presidency will present a report on the state of discussion with regard to the Constitutional Treaty to the European Council in June 2007, based on extensive consultations with the member states. I will make a statement shortly on the broad principles that will underpin our approach to these discussions.

Iran

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she has made to the Iranian authorities on Iran's use of the death penalty; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: We have serious concerns about the continued use of the death penalty in Iran. According to international non-governmental organisations, in 2005 Iran was second only to China in terms of total number of executions carried out and Iran was the only country known to have executed those under the age of 18. We are particularly concerned that basic standards surrounding the application of capital punishment are absent in Iran and that death sentences are often carried out in public. The execution of minors is in clear contravention of Iran's obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
	We make frequent representations to the Iranian authorities about the use of the death penalty. On 5 May, the EU presidency in Tehran issued a statement expressing its
	serious concern about the general increase in executions in Iran.
	On 29 May, the EU raised specific concerns about the use of the juvenile death penalty. On 20 November, the EU presidency raised our concerns about the imminent execution of 10 men in Ahwaz, and reiterated the EU's longstanding objection to the death penalty in all circumstances.
	We also raise our concerns about the death penalty in international fora. On 18 October, the EU presidency made a statement on human rights at the United Nations General Assembly Third Committee, which highlighted Iran as one of the few countries where minors are sentenced to death and executed. All EU member states sponsored a draft resolution on human rights in Iran at this year's UN General Assembly expressing serious concern at
	the continuing of public executions, including multiple public executions, and, on a large scale, other executions in the absence of respect for internationally recognized safeguards
	and
	in particular, deplores the execution of persons who were under the age of 18 at the time their offence was committed.
	The draft resolution was approved by the Third Committee on 21 November, and will be considered by the General Assembly Plenary in December.

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what dates since March 2003  (a) the UK's Ambassador to Iraq and  (b) her officials have met International Tax and Investment Centre representatives; what subjects were discussed; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: Our ambassador in Baghdad has held no meetings with International Tax and Investment Centre (ITIC) representatives since March 2003. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials met with ITIC officials on 30 September 2004, 24 January 2006 and 29 June 2006, where they discussed recent ITIC reports and ITIC's forthcoming seminars on the Iraqi oil sector.

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether reports produced by the International Tax and Investment Centre have been forwarded by  (a) the UK's ambassador to Iraq and  (b) her office to (i) Ministers in the Iraqi Government and (ii) the Coalition Provisional Authority since March 2003; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: No reports produced by the International Tax and Investment Centre have been passed by either our ambassador in Baghdad or by officials to Ministers in the Iraqi Government or to the Coalition Provisional Authority since March 2003.

Israel

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will publish the records her Department holds on  (a) the heavy water transfer and  (b) the supply of (i) plutonium, (ii) uranium-235, (iii) beryllium and (iv) lithium-6 to Israel via Norway in the 1960s.

Kim Howells: I can confirm that there have been a number of files released about UK involvement in heavy water transfer; and the supply of plutonium, uranium-235, beryllium and lithium-6, which have been declassified since 1988, and are now held at the Public Records Office at Kew. Declassification of further material is considered on a case by case basis.

Middle East

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on the security situation in the Gaza Strip.

Margaret Beckett: We remain concerned at the security situation in the Gaza Strip. We are gravely disturbed by the deaths of Palestinian and Israeli civilians. We have repeatedly raised our deep concern over casualties and civilian suffering on both sides in recent months with the Government of Israel and President Abbas. We urge the Israeli military to do everything in its power to avoid civilian casualties. We have repeatedly raised our concerns with the Government of Israel. We have also raised our concerns about the firing of Qassam rockets at Israeli towns with President Abbas. We welcome his call for the firing of these rockets to stop.
	We will continue to work towards a comprehensive peace and two-state solution, and an end to the cycle of violence. This remains at the core of peace and stability in the Middle East.

Middle East

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if she will make a statement on progress in security sector reform in the Gaza Strip.

Margaret Beckett: Since Hamas came to power earlier this year, progress on security sector reform has slowed. We continue to support the work of US Security Co-ordinator General Dayton and other security missions in Gaza. General Dayton has been particularly focused on securing the reliable opening of the Kami crossing point between Israel and Gaza. The detail of his proposals has not yet been finalised. When the plans have been agreed with the parties, we expect them to be endorsed by the Quartet.

Middle East

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the recent proposal from Spain, France and Italy for a peace initiative by the EU on the Israel/Palestine question; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: We are keen to make progress towards a lasting and just peace in Israel and the occupied territories. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has made advancing the middle east peace process a UK priority. We are discussing the ideas put forward at Gerona with international partners.

Middle East

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions she has had with the Foreign Ministers of Spain, France and Italy regarding the Spanish initiative for the Middle East Peace Process prior to 17 November; and what the outcome was of these discussions.

Margaret Beckett: I did not discuss the initiative, but did discuss the Middle East at the General Affairs and External Relations Council. We are discussing the ideas that were put forward in Gerona with our EU partners.

Middle East

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what her assessment is of the Middle East peace initiative announced by Spain on 17 November; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: We are keen to make progress towards a lasting and just peace in Israel and the Occupied Territories. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister and I have made advancing the Middle East Peace Process a UK priority and we are discussing this initiative with partners.

Nepal

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the recent Nepalese peace accord signed by Prime Minister Koirala and rebel leader Pranchanda.

Kim Howells: The UK has welcomed the signing of the comprehensive peace accord as a significant step which has ended more than a decade of civil conflict.
	It is now vital that both sides accept the responsibility placed upon them by the people of Nepal and the international community to ensure that this agreement leads to a sustainable peace and better future for all. Essential to any lasting peace, is the need for all parties to the agreement to respect and uphold the rule of law. We have called for an end to impunity and stated clearly our view that there can be no place in today's Nepal for abductions, extortion and political violence.
	We have encouraged all signatories to the agreement to continue their efforts to build consensus and work together with the UN as Nepal moves towards a new government with free and fair elections. The UK has played a significant role in helping drive the peace process to this stage and we stand ready to help the people of Nepal to move further towards a stable and peaceful future for their country.

Overseas Prisoners

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens were detained in prisons abroad in the most recent period for which information is available, broken down by country.

Kim Howells: On 30 September 2006, British consular officials were aware of 2,421 British nationals detained in overseas prisons. The breakdown by country is shown as follows. These figures, which are the most recent definitive figures we have, include detainees on remand, as well as those serving custodial sentences.
	
		
			  Country  Number of detainees 
			 Afghanistan 1 
			 Albania 3 
			 Antigua and Barbuda 4 
			 Argentina 11 
			 Australia 295 
			 Austria 7 
			 Azerbaijan 1 
			 Bahamas 1 
			 Bahrain 2 
			 Barbados 3 
			 Belgium 18 
			 Bolivia 2 
			 Brazil 34 
			 British Virgin Islands 2 
			 Bulgaria 1 
			 Cambodia 1 
			 Canada 16 
			 China 19 
			 Colombia 3 
			 Costa Rica 3 
			 Croatia 2 
			 Cyprus 17 
			 Czech Republic 2 
			 Denmark 15 
			 Dominica 1 
			 Dominican Republic 1 
			 Ecuador 12 
			 Egypt 2 
			 Ethiopia 2 
			 France 86 
			 Germany 141 
			 Ghana 6 
			 Greece 16 
			 Grenada 4 
			 Guyana 3 
			 India 23 
			 Indonesia 6 
			 Iran 1 
			 Iraq 1 
			 Ireland 87 
			 Israel 2 
			 Italy 15 
			 Jamaica 99 
			 Japan 26 
			 Korea (South) 1 
			 Kuwait 8 
			 Laos 2 
			 Latvia 1 
			 Luxembourg 6 
			 Malaysia 4 
			 Malta 6 
			 Mexico 7 
			 Morocco 6 
			 Namibia 1 
			 Netherlands 55 
			 New Zealand 9 
			 Nicaragua 1 
			 Nigeria 1 
			 Norway 1 
			 Oman 3 
			 Pakistan 8 
			 Panama 5 
			 Peru 16 
			 Philippines 16 
			 Poland 1 
			 Portugal 23 
			 Romania 1 
			 Senegal 1 
			 Sierra Leone 2 
			 Singapore 11 
			 Slovenia 2 
			 South Africa 8 
			 Spain 324 
			 Sri Lanka 3 
			 St. Lucia 3 
			 Suriname 3 
			 Sweden 14 
			 Switzerland 6 
			 Syria 2 
			 Taiwan 20 
			 Thailand 118 
			 Trinidad and Tobago 10 
			 Tunisia 1 
			 Turkey 2 
			 United Arab Emirates 23 
			 USA 660 
			 Venezuela 23 
			 Vietnam 5 
			 Zimbabwe 1

Renewable Energy

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much energy consumed by her Department is acquired from renewable sources.

Geoff Hoon: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Castle Point (Bob Spink) on 21 November 2006,  Official Report, columns 58-59W.

Somalia

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the extent to which  (a) Iran and  (b) other countries have broken the United Nations embargo by supplying weapons to Somali rebels; and whether she plans to raise this matter within the United Nations.

Geoff Hoon: The report of the UN Monitoring Group on Somalia warns of an increasing military build up, attributed to a number of states which have violated the arms embargo. Some of these states, including Iran, have denied the allegations. Together with our UN Security Council partners, we will consider action to ensure compliance and look for ways to strengthen the embargo's application. We urge all states in the region to respect the UN arms embargo and refrain from any activity, which might provoke violence in Somalia.
	We recognise that the UN Security Council may, at the request of an appropriate regional, multi-national body, consider specific relaxations of the embargo for peace-keeping and security building purposes, although no such decision has yet been made.

Sudan

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 21 November 2006,  Official Report, column 65W, on Sudan, which UK officials General Salah Abdallah (also known as Al Ghosh) met during his visits to the UK in  (a) March and  (b) August 2006; what matters were discussed; and whether General Abdallah met any Government ministers in this period.

Kim Howells: I refer the hon. Member to the reply my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Trade (Mr. McCartney) gave to him on 21 November,  Official Report, column 65W.
	The Government do not divulge the names of officials involved in meetings.
	General Salah Abdallah did not meet any Government Ministers while he was in the UK.

Syria

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the outcome was of the Prime Minister's bilateral talks with President Assad of Syria in 2002; what the objectives are of the visit of Sir Nigel Sheinwald to President Assad; and what agreements with Syria she is proposing.

Kim Howells: As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said at the conclusion of President Bashar Al Assad's visit to the UK in 2002,
	there are obviously going to be differences between us and we condemn totally anybody who is engaged in terrorist activity of any sort at all wherever in the world. I do however believe that it is important to engage with Syria because Syria is going to be an important part of building a peaceful and stable future in the Middle East, and no matter what the level of our disagreement, it is still important that we continue that dialogue.
	My right. hon. Friend the Prime Minister's Foreign Policy Adviser, Sir Nigel Sheinwald, visited Damascus on 30 October 2006. Our message to Syria was that it has a strategic choice to make. The UK hopes it will choose the constructive role in the region that it can undoubtedly play.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Arts Council

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the administration costs of the Arts Council England were in each year since 1997, broken down by  (a) staff costs and  (b) non-staff costs.

David Lammy: The information is as follows:
	
		
			  (a) Staff administration costs 
			   Total () 
			 1996-97 5,621,000 
			 1997-98 8,510,000 
			 1998-99 10,250,000 
			 1999-2000 8,693,000 
			 2000-01 9,432,000 
			 2001-02 21,900,000 
			 2002-03 24,804,000 
			 2003-04 25,703,000 
			 2004-05 31,271,000 
			 2005-06 35,282,000 
		
	
	
		
			  (b) Non staff administration costs 
			   Total () 
			 1996-97 17,239,000 
			 1997-98 19,844,000 
			 1998-99 18,196,000 
			 1999-2000 19,720,000 
			 2000-01 19,288,000 
			 2001-02 20,457,000 
			 2002-03 22,592,000 
			 2003-04 21,958,000 
			 2004-05 20,481,000 
			 2005-06 23,383,000 
		
	
	The rises in 2001-02 reflect the merger of the 10 regional arts boards into a single organisation.

Cultural Observatories

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what  (a) funding and  (b) support (i) her Department and (ii) its agencies is giving to assist the establishment of regional cultural observatories.

David Lammy: Responsibility for the establishment of regional cultural observatories rests with the regional cultural consortiums which are executive non departmental public bodies funded by the Department and other regional organisations. Funding and support for the regional cultural observatories is provided by the consortiums and their regional partners.

Government Art Collection

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in which Government Department the Government art collection's copy of Julian Trevelyan's Bulldozer artwork is on display.

David Lammy: The Government art collection's impression of the print Bulldozer (1973) by Julian Trevelyan is currently on display in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (British embassy, Bangkok).

Olympic Games

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what  (a) proportion and  (b) total of collected London council tax will be used to pay for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Tessa Jowell: Details of the 2.375 billion Public Sector Funding Package are published in OlympicsGovernment Response to 'A London Olympic Bid for 2012' (HC 268) Report of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee Session 2002-2003.
	Within the package the proportion and total is as follows:
	
		
			 Percentage 
			 National Lottery 1.5 billion 63 
			 London Council Tax 625 million 26 
			 LDA 250 million 11 
			 Total 2.375 billion 100

Olympic Games

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total estimated cost is of staging the 2012 Olympic Games in London; and how this figure was arrived at.

Tessa Jowell: The operational budget of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) was prepared at the time of the bid by London 2012 Ltd. The budget summarised in the Candidate File is supported by further detailed analysis which was provided to and reviewed by the IOC as part of their Evaluation Commission visit. In January of this year LOCOG restated the budget in out-turn prices (from 2004 prices as required for the Candidate File). LOCOG estimate the operation budget in out-turn prices to be approximately 2 billion.

Olympic Games

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how the costs of staging the 2012 Olympic Games in London will be met; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: As set out in the London 2012 Candidate File, the costs of staging the Games are estimated at 2 billion.
	Revenues are to be gathered from a mixture of sponsorship, ticket sales, licensing and merchandising.

Olympic Games

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her estimate is of the cost of securing the 2012 Olympics.

Tessa Jowell: We established London 2012 Ltd. to co-ordinate our bid for the 2012 Olympics at a cost of around 28 million. They were funded as follows:
	DCMS grant, 9.5 million
	LDA grant, 9.5 million
	Private funding and value in kind, 9 million
	The organisation was wound up in August 2006. Copies of its accounts can be obtained from Companies house.

Olympic Games

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the Treasury on the payment of VAT in relation to the 2012 Olympics.

Tessa Jowell: Discussions with HM Treasury about the tax position of the 2012 Olympics have been ongoing and the outcome will be reported in due course.

Olympic Games

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the Heritage Lottery allocation to the Olympics has been to date; and what projections have been made for any future transfers from the fund.

David Lammy: There has been no Olympic contribution from funds drawn down by the Heritage lottery fund (HLF) from the national lottery distribution fund (NLDF), or from money held on behalf of HLF in the NLDF. However, non-Olympic lottery distributors, including HLF, may see a reduction in income because of sales diversion from non-Olympic lottery games over the period 2005-06 to 2012-13, and the redirection of 410 million of non-Olympic lottery proceeds between 2009 and 2012.
	The Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and the Mayor of London provides that in the event of a shortfall in funds the Government, using lottery funds, and the Mayor may enter into an agreement to share the costs. The Government are in discussion with the Mayor as to how the additional increase in expenditure on the Olympic park, mentioned by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on 21 November, will be met.

Parliamentary Questions

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether her Department grades or classifies written parliamentary questions according to  (a) political sensitivity and  (b) potential for political embarrassment.

David Lammy: No, questions are not graded or classified in this manner.

Renewable Energy

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much energy consumed by her Department is acquired from renewable sources.

David Lammy: The Department is supplied by 100 per cent. renewable energy via the OGC Buying Solutions Energy Contract.

Television Licences

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people in Northern Ireland were convicted of not having a valid television licence during the first three months of  (a) 2004,  (b) 2005 and  (c) 2006.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested is not held centrally.

Television Licences

Peter Soulsby: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many pensioner households in the wards of  (a) Aylestone,  (b) Castle,  (c) Freemen,  (d) Eyres Monsell,  (e) Stoneygate,  (f) Spinney Hills and  (g) Knighton in Leicester have received a free television licence.

Shaun Woodward: TV Licensing administer free television licences for people aged 75 or over as agents for the BBC. They are not able to provide geographical breakdowns of the number of free licences issued. However, the number of households with at least one person aged 75 or over claiming the winter fuel payment in the Leicester, South constituency in 2005-06 was 4,740, according to Department for Work and Pensions records.

Terrorism Victims

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to make an announcement on the operation of the charitable fund to provide compensation for British victims of terrorism abroad.

Tessa Jowell: As indicated in my previous answer of 9 October 2006,  Official Report, columns 47-48W, details of the fund are still being finalised but I will write to the hon. Member once we are in a position to make an announcement.

Tourism

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment her Department has made of skills levels in the tourism industry; what steps the Government are taking to ensure levels are adequate; and if she will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: DCMS works closely with People 1st (the Sector Skills Council for the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industries) and DfES on improving the skills levels of people working in the tourism industry.
	People lst research has identified, among other problems, that there are skills gaps in the current workforce, particularly for managers and in customer service, and a lack of technically skilled chefs. The industry also has the highest rate of staff turnover in the UK economy.
	I recently chaired the third Skills Summit with People lst and industry representatives to help develop a national skills strategy, which will focus on the industry's skills and retention problems. I also recently launched the UK Skills Passport which will benefit both employers and employees in the tourism industry. The Passport will provide an entire system of career development and training, and will signpost to industry qualifications and funding that can meet their needs.
	We are also ensuring that the industry takes full advantage of wider initiatives such as National Skills Academiesthe industry having recently successful progressed to the business planning stage in its bid for a National Hospitality Skills Academyand Train to Gain.
	DCMS has also recently completed a public consultation on a tourism strategy for the London 2012 Olympic games and Paralympic games to ensure that the tourism industry maximises the benefits of hosting the games. Skills has been a vital component of this consultation and will be included in the emerging strategy.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan

Chris Mullin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether NATO has completed its inquiry into the accidental bombing of Afghan civilians on 24 October; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The joint Afghan MOD/ISAF investigation is complete and a report has been produced. This is now being considered by the Afghan Government and the NATO chain of command. No details will be revealed until this process has been completed.

Air Training Corps

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether any additional funding is available for Air Training Corps units seeking to improve existing premises or relocate to new premises.

Derek Twigg: All funding requirements for Air Training Corps units are considered and prioritised on an annual basis. When necessary, priorities are re-assessed and additional funds may be allocated in-year. Any additional funding requirements will be considered on a case by case basis in light of current priorities.

Army (Northern Ireland)

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of serving members of the Army who will be based in Northern Ireland by the end of 2007.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 27 November 2006
	Under the updated Security Annex to the Joint Declaration published by the Government in August 2005, and assuming a continuing enabling environment, the number of armed forces personnel (Navy, Army and RAF) based in Northern Ireland on operational duties under Operation Banner is planned to reduce to no more than 5,000 by 31 July 2007.
	After 31 July 2007, under the terms of the updated Security Annex, there will be a permanent peacetime garrison of no more than 5,000 armed forces personnel based in Northern Ireland. This will reflect the Government's global defence commitments, although some Northern Ireland or Great Britain based personnel will continue to provide a residual level of Army support to the police, e.g. providing specialised ordnance disposal and, if needed, support for public order as described in Patten recommendations 59 and 66.
	The number of troops needed for these residual tasks will naturally depend on Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) requirements but I very much welcome the PSNI's increasing ability to carry out their tasks without military support and look forward to this continuing.

British Forces Post Office

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) packages under 2kg,  (b) packages over 2kg and  (c) letters were sent to (i) Iraq, (ii) Afghanistan, (iii) Sierra Leone and (iv) the Balkans in each month during 2005-06 by the British Forces Post Office; and what the total postal charges were in each category of post type.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 27 November 2006
	The MOD does not record each individual piece of mail and the information requested is therefore not available.

Bulford Courts Martial

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was of the new Military Courts Martial Centre at Bulford.

Derek Twigg: The cost of the new Courts Martial Centre at Bulford, excluding internal MOD staff costs, was 4.8 million, including VAT.

Cadet Units

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence at which schools the cadet units announced on 27 June will be based.

Derek Twigg: Discussions with the potential pilot schools, include schools in both Scotland and Wales, are ongoing. The establishment of a combined cadet force contingent requires significant commitment from the head teacher who needs to consult widely with staff, governors, local authorities and pupils. Only when these consultations are complete will we release the names of schools taking part in the pilot.

Cadet Units

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of schools that are willing to support and take part in state school cadet schemes.

Derek Twigg: To date the Department is aware of 22 state schools that have expressed an interest in forming combined cadet force contingents. This is in addition to the volunteers supporting the 52 state schools CCF already established and the 202 single-service cadet units that are based on school premises.

Cadet Units

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in implementing plans announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in February to create branches of the Combined Cadet Force in state schools.

Derek Twigg: Progress continues to be made along the lines outlined to the House on 28 June 2006,  Official Report, column 401W. The announcement by the Chancellor on 27 June that 800,000 of start-up funds would be made available to support the pilot expansion has allowed us to develop the plans for implementation of the six new pilot contingents in schools. Discussions with the potential pilot schools, including schools in both Scotland and Wales, are ongoing. We continue to plan the enrolling of the first cadets to the new contingents, at the start of the academic year 2007-08.

Civilian Operational Allowance

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library details of the special civilian operational allowance referred to in the answer of 7 November 2006,  Official Report, column 1483W, on the operational bonus.

Derek Twigg: The rates of the operational deployment allowance that are currently payable are:
	
		
			  Operational area  Operational deployment allowance per month () 
			 Afghanistan 1,500 
			 Balkans 1,250 
			 Iraq 1,750 
		
	
	I have placed a copy of the most recent Defence Instruction which details the current rates of this allowance in the Library of the House.
	Proposals have been made to introduce an operational long hours working allowance to replace the separate entitlements of deployed civil servants to claim payment for overtime, travelling time, shift, on-call and night duty allowances. The aim is to subsume these allowances with a simple, flat rate taxable allowance. Discussions are ongoing with the trades unions.

Correspondence

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will reply to the letter of 3 October 2006 from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire on the protection given to wounded British soldiers being treated at NHS hospitals (ref: MC05549/2006).

Derek Twigg: holding answer 27 November 2006
	I replied to the hon. Member on 24 November.

Departmental Appointments

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) civil servants and  (b) independent consultants have been employed by his Department in each year since 1997.

Derek Twigg: Information on the number of civil servants employed by the Ministry of Defence is published annually in UK Defence Statistics, table 2.1, copies of which can be found from the following web page:
	http://www.dasa.mod.uk/natstats/natstatsindex.html
	The full series follows, and is based on the definitions of civilian workforce introduced from April 2004, details of which are also available from the web page.
	
		
			  Thousand: full-time equivalent 
			  As at April  Civil servants  Locally engaged civilians  Total 
			 1997 117.5 15.9 133.3 
			 1998 111.1 15.2 126.3 
			 1999 108.1 14.9 123.0 
			 2000 106.4 14.8 121.3 
			 2001 104.8 13.3 118.2 
			 2002 96.0 14.1 110.1 
			 2003 93.7 13.8 107.6 
			 2004 93.6 15.4 109.0 
			 2005 92.8 15.7 108.5 
			 2006 88.8 15.1 103.9 
			  Notes: 1. Full time equivalence (FTE) counts part time staff by the number of hours they work as a proportion of their full time conditioned hours. 2. Locally engaged civilians (LEG) includes manual workers employed overseas. 3. LEG are not classified as UK civil servants. 4. Because of rounding, totals may not always equal the sum of the parts. 
		
	
	Specific data on the number of consultants employed is not held centrally within the Department and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Projects

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the cost of  (a) new builds,  (b) demolition rebuilds and  (c) private finance initiative projects in his Department in each of the last two years.

Derek Twigg: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Departmental Statistics

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which statistics have been put forward by his Department for consideration to become new national statistics in each of the last five years; and how many statistics sets his Department has produced in total in each of the last five years.

Derek Twigg: The current list of National Statistics produced by the MOD can be found on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/about/ns_ons/nsproducts/default.asp
	A list of changes to the scope of National Statistics (additions and withdrawals) in each of the last five years can be found in the relevant National Statistics annual report available on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk= 1051
	In addition to National Statistics, the MOD publishes a wide range of other numerical information in a variety of forms including other data produced from the management and administration of the Department and in research reports. There is no consistent definition of the term statistics sets and no centrally held information on the total published in each year on this basis.

HMS Sheffield

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which members of the crew of HMS Sheffield did not have their evidence considered by the Board of Inquiry; on what basis crew members' evidence was selected for consideration and by whom; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The names of those personnel who were not interviewed by the BOI are regarded as personal data under the Data Protection Act 1998 and to publish this information would be a breach of the Act.
	No information is held on file to indicate the basis upon which personnel were selected for interview, or by whom they were selected.

Iraq

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many trained combat Iraqi troops are deemed capable of battling insurgents without US or UK military help; and how many were deemed capable 12 months ago.

Adam Ingram: Of 112 Iraqi Army battalions, 13 are capable of planning, executing and sustaining counter-insurgency operations without coalition support. A further 78 require only minimal support in areas such as planning or logistics. The remainder operate in conjunction with coalition units or are undergoing earlier stages of formation and basic training.
	In November 2005, one battalion was capable of operating independently of coalition forces, 13 were capable of operating with only minimal support. The remainder were operating alongside coalition units or in the process of being formed.

Joint Narcotics Analysis Centre

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost was of establishing the Joint Narcotics Analysis Centre; what its budget is for 2006-07; and what percentage of each has been met by the US authorities.

Adam Ingram: The most senior UK person in the (Joint Narcotics Analysis Centre) is a military officer of Colonel (or equivalent) rank and the senior US person is a Department of Defence Civilian Narcotics Analyst whose rank is equivalent to that of a UK military Colonel.
	The cost of establishing the Joint Narcotics Analysis Centre was:
	US: $3.30 million (1.83 million)
	UK: 400,000
	These are systems and infrastructure costs; each of the agencies participating in the JNAC are responsible for covering personnel and their travel and subsistence costs from within existing establishments and budgets.
	The JNAC budget for 2006-07 is:
	US: $2.7 million (1.5 million)
	UK: 100,000

Medical Testing

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what medical tests are carried out on those  (a) entering and  (b) leaving each of the armed forces.

Derek Twigg: Prior to entry to the armed forces, individuals routinely undergo a comprehensive medical assessment. The following minimum examinations are undertaken:
	Full physical examination by medical officer
	Measurement of height and weight
	Urinalysis
	Pulse
	Blood pressure
	Visual acuity
	Colour perception
	Audiometry
	Peak flow
	Blood grouping
	Those with a medical history of certain problems, or where an abnormality is discovered on the above, may undergo additional testing or referral to a specialist.
	On leaving the armed forces individuals are required to undergo a medical assessment which is similar to the above, but would not include colour perception testing.
	Applicants for some services, branches or trades may require further tests, for example, aircrew routinely undergo the following tests on entry:
	Electrocardiogram (ECG)
	Electroencephalogram (EEG)if clinically indicated
	Chest x-ray
	Full blood count
	Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (or substitute)
	Testing for sickle cell disease when indicated on clinical grounds
	Total protein, albumin, uric acid, creatinine, calcium, glucose, fasting lipids
	Liver function tests
	Bilirubin
	Thyroid stimulating hormone
	Moreover, any applicant might require further tests if clinically indicated.

Mental Health

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) psychologists,  (b) psychiatrists,  (c) mental health nurses and  (d) occupational therapists each service employs; where they are based; and how many of them are uniformed.

Derek Twigg: The following table shows the total number of mental health staff employed by the Defence Medical Services:
	
		
			   Royal Navy  Army  RAF  Civilian (non-uniformed) 
			 Clinical Psychologists 0 0 0 5 
			 Psychiatrists 2 6 5 0 
			 Mental Health Nurses 21 42 31 0 
			 Occupational Therapists 0 0 0 0

Military Vehicles

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what means  (a) troops carried aboard the trailer component of a BvS10 Viking all terrain vehicle and  (b) other troops carried on such a vehicle acquire situational awareness prior to dismounting.

Adam Ingram: Troops carried in the rear cab of a Viking vehicle principally receive situational awareness through continuous radio communication with those in the front cab, who have good visibility. The rear cab also has a rear window from which limited situational awareness can be gained.
	The commander of the troops sits in the front cab with the driver, and the vehicle controller is 'head up' via the hatch. The front cab has both front and side windows which provide good situational awareness for the commander and the driver.

Operational Allowance

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when details of eligibility for the operational allowance  (a) were finalised and  (b) will be published.

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish the eligibility criteria for the operational allowance.

Des Browne: holding answer 20 November 2006
	I refer the hon. Members to my written ministerial statement today.

Pay and Allowances Complaints

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what types of complaints made about pay and allowances on Joint Personnel Administration by  (a) Service personnel and  (b) civilian staff are (i) recorded and (ii) not recorded; and what factors were taken into account when deciding which categories of complaints to record.

Derek Twigg: Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) is the pay and personnel system used solely for the armed forces. All complaints made in accordance with the procedures set out in the Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency's charter of Joint Personnel Administration Services, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House, are recorded. There are 19 categories of complaint and these are set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Pay related  Miscellaneous 
			 Pay/allowances Business requirement 
			 Charges Discharges/terminations 
			 Expenses Enquiry centre 
			 Long service advance of pay JPA 
			 Bonuses Medals 
			 Statutory maternity pay Charter of JPA Services 
			 Specialist pay Pensions 
			 Pay statements Technical 
			 Tax Wills 
			  Other 
		
	
	JPA is a new system and the AFPAA's business processes continue to be developed as experience is gained. The method by which the AFPAA categorise complaints has improved since roll-out to the RAF and will continue to mature.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the significant long term savings from the reformed armed forces pension arrangements introduced in 2005 referred to in the answer of 7 November 2006,  Official Report, column 1487W; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: The new Armed Forces Pension Scheme (AFPS 05) was broadly intended to be 'cost neutral' at the time of introduction in April 2005 in comparison with AFPS75. The main reasons for introducing the new scheme were to modernise the schemes benefits and at the same time ensure affordability in the future as factors such as increased longevity took affect.
	The scheme's actuary is confident that there will be significant long term savings if a comparison is made between the emerging costs of the new scheme and the costs that would have resulted if we had continued exclusively with the old scheme.
	The estimate is that the eventual long term savings will be in the region of 120 million per year once the vast majority of personnel are active members of the new AFPS 05in about 20 years time. An accurate net present value at this point in time could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

PFI Consultants

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total external spending by his Department was on private finance initiative (PFI) consultants in each of the last five years; how many full-time equivalent consultants were employed over this period; how many billed consultancy days there were in each year; what the implied average cost of each PFI consultant was; how many consultancy firms were used by his Department over this period; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: The specific information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, during the last five years MOD spending on consultancy to support teams seeking to engage industry in the delivery of Public Private Partnerships including PFI and wider markets projects has been:
	
		
			  Financial year  Spend ( million) 
			 2001-02 66.8 
			 2002-03 58.7 
			 2003-04 60 
			 2004-05 33.7 
			 2005-06 47.2 
		
	
	These figures can be set against the figure of almost 6 billion of private sector capital investment in defence through the PFI to date.

President of the Regiment Institute Shops

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what guidance his Department gives to commanding officers on  (a) appointing external commercial businesses to run President of the Regiment Institute shops,  (b) the profit margins which such businesses should charge on their sales and  (c) overhead costs.

Derek Twigg: President of the Regiment Institute shops are charities, of which the units' Commanding Officer is the Managing Trustee. Instructions on the running of PRIs are not issued by the Department as the unit Commanding Officer is fully responsible for the running of their PRI as the Managing Trustee. However, they should be run in accordance with Service Funds Regulations and Defence Council Instructions General 3/2005.
	The Commanding Officer may appoint any individual or organisation to manage the PRI, and may set whatever profit levels they see fit. Overhead costs are advised by Defence Estates and include licence to occupy, utility costs and ensuring adequate insurance is taken.

Recruitment

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what total expenditure was on infantry recruitment in each year since 2001.

Derek Twigg: Headquarters Recruiting Group, a part of the Army Recruiting and Training Division, is responsible for the Army's recruitment budget. This budget is not divided into individual components for the recruiting of specific capbadges, but for recruiting as a whole.
	In 2006, the Army has conducted specific advertising for the infantry in the form of the infantry multi media campaigns. Costs for these campaigns were 5.25 million and included production and advertising costs. Not all those attracted by this campaign will join the infantry.
	The following table shows the Army's recruiting budget since financial year 2001-02. These figures are inclusive of manning and maintenance of recruiting offices, marketing and advertising and Territorial Army marketing.
	
		
			  Financial year  Expenditure ( million) 
			 2001-02 66.4 
			 2002-03 68.4 
			 2003-04 71.4 
			 2004-05 85.4 
			 2005-06 89

Royal Navy

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the highest percentage of gapped frontline posts experienced was on sailing a Royal Navy ship in the past 12 months.

Adam Ingram: The highest percentage of gapped posts reported by a unit at sea over the past 12 months was 22 per cent., reported by HMS Cumberland in October 2006. Manning levels of RN ships are adjusted according to their tasks. HMS Cumberland was at low readiness at the time, predominately carrying out training within UK waters, and a number of her personnel were taking part in career courses and other training ashore.

Separation Allowances

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he plans to make changes to  (a) Longer Separated Service Allowance and  (b) Longer Separation Allowance.

Derek Twigg: Longer separated service allowance (LSSA), and its associated bonuses, and LSSA On The Road are being replaced by longer separation allowance (LSA) for all three services, with the roll-out of the joint personnel administration (JPA) system. The Royal Navy (RN) and its Reserve and Royal Air Force (RAF) have already transferred to LSA; the Army, its Reserve and the RAF Reserves are scheduled to transfer on 1 April 2007.
	On 5 October 2006, I announced the implementation of a welfare package for hospitalised service personnel which includes payment of LSA (RN and RAF) or LSSA (Army) for inpatients. Those who are in receipt of the allowances when they are admitted to hospital (for example those on operations) continue to receive LSSA or LSA, as applicable. All other personnel are eligible for the allowances for inpatient stays of 10 days or more.
	The MOD is currently the reviewing the 100 day initial qualifying period for LSA.

Service Accommodation

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) service family accommodation and  (b) single living accommodation properties in Germany are (i) Standard 1, (ii) Standard 2, (iii) Standard 3 and (iv) Standard 4.

Derek Twigg: I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Service Accommodation

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assistance his Department provides to service personnel for house purchases.

Derek Twigg: The Ministry of Defence assists Service personnel to purchase a house through Long Service Advance of Pay (LSAP). This is an interest free loan of up to 8,500 or 182 days pay (whichever is the lesser) which can only be used for house purchase. The loan is usually repaid at about 10 per cent. per year, with any balance remaining on discharge being recovered from terminal benefits.
	In addition, the MOD has made arrangements with the Department for Communities and Local Government to include Service personnel in the Key Worker Living Programme. This gives Service personnel based in London, the East and South East access to the New Build Home-buy scheme. This is a shared equity scheme where the Service person purchases a 25 per cent. minimum stake in the property and pays a low cost rent on the remainder. For personnel based in the remainder of England, a similar scheme known as the First-Time Buyers Initiative exists. This again is a shared equity scheme run by the regional housing boards. The minimum ownership stake in this scheme is 50 per cent. with the remainder again being paid as a low cost rent. In both cases, LSAP can be used as part of the owned stake in the property.
	There are also several schemes provided by commercial enterprises to assist home ownership for Service personnel that have been developed in conjunction with MOD. These include shared ownership schemes, buy to let schemes, cash grants, mortgage advice, and discounts to Service personnel on former MOD managed properties.
	Details of all the above schemes are available to Service personnel through the MOD's Joint Service Housing Advice Office. This is a full-time dedicated facility that was created to assist Service personnel by providing advice and guidance on the full range of accommodation options open to them when they leave the Services.

Territorial Army

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what additional budget has been given to HQ Land to enable the uplift of support staff for the restructuring and re-balancing of the Territorial Army (TA) as a result of Future Army Strategy (TA), broken down by  (a) year and  (b) arm;
	(2)  why the original budget allocated by HQ Land to recruit non-regular permanent staff and civilian staff as a result of the Future Army Strategy (TA) has been put back from 2006-07 to 2008-09;
	(3)  what additional posts have been identified to enable the restructuring and re-balancing of the Territorial Army (TA) as a result of the Future Army Strategy (TA), broken down by  (a) arm and  (b) unit.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 20 November 2006
	The additional posts identified to enable the restructuring and re-balancing of the Territorial Army (TA) as a result of the Future Army Strategy (TA) broken down by Arm are shown in the table as follows:
	
		
			  Arm/Service  NRPS total pre all FAS changes  NRPS total post all FAS changes  Change 
			 RAC 79 74 -5 
			 RA 137 118 -19 
			 RE 72 112 +40 
			 R SIGNALS 187 195 +8 
			 INF 231 221 -10 
			 AAC 21 31 +10 
			 AMS 144 162 +18 
			 REME 58 68 +10 
			 AGC(RMP) 10 15 +5 
			 INT 23 30 +7 
			 RLC 178 257 +79 
			 E2 (Any Arm/Service) 14 50 +36 
			 Total 1,154 1,333 +179 
		
	
	I am placing the information on additional posts broken down by unit in the Library of the House.
	HQ LAND received no additional funding to enable the uplift of support staff for the restructuring and re-balancing of the TA as a result of Future Army Strategy (TA). Existing resources have been re-profiled to pay for these posts.
	The decision was made to delay the implementation of TA rebalancing in certain Arms and Services, which meant that the recruitment of non-regular Permanent Staff and civilian staff for these units was not required as soon as was anticipated. The budget allocated by HQ to the recruitment of these posts has therefore been moved from 2006-07 to 2007-08.

Territorial Army

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken to ensure that the families of territorial service men and women on active duty overseas have been notified of the Christmas parcels concessionary free post.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 27 November 2006
	In October 2006, MOD issued a press release to local UK newspapers and specialist forces publications, notifying the dates of the Christmas Free Packet Service (10 November-8 December 2006). In addition this information was made available on BFPO and Royal Mail websites, and at post and sub-post offices throughout the UK.

Trident

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which organisation or department is responsible for the costs and duties involved with decommissioning Trident.

Adam Ingram: The costs and duties associated with decommissioning Trident will be assessed when the system is approaching the end of its operational life. The responsibility for disposal rests with the Defence Procurement Agency and Defence Logistics Organisation, which together will form Defence Equipment and Support, within the Ministry of Defence, with effect from April 2007.

Trident

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how the decommissioning of Trident will be financed; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 27 November 2006
	The Trident System is expected to remain in service until at least the end of the next decade, well beyond the Department's normal planning cycle. It is therefore too early to say how it will be financed, although it will form part of the normal planning process.

Troop Deployment

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will order a review of the way troops are deployed to and from theatre.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 27 November 2006
	The Permanent Joint Headquarters, supported by other service stakeholders, including the front line commands, already undertakes a rolling review of the capability and capacity of the movements process, and the organisation and infrastructure which supports the deployment of troops to and from theatre.
	While there are occasional and regrettable delays to the movement of personnel, our logistic planners have recently been able to conduct successive reliefs in place for forces in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Our ability to undertake such logistic challenges is testament to their professionalism.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMISSION

Electoral Registration

Oliver Heald: To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission 
	(1)  whether the National Audit Office's investigation into electoral registration will include considerations of electoral fraud regarding registration;
	(2)  what the  (a) timetable and  (b) remit is of the National Audit Office's inquiry into electoral registration.

Peter Viggers: I am replying to these questions as the inquiry concerned is the annual value for money study for 2005-06 by the Comptroller and Auditor General on the Electoral Commission in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 16 of Schedule 1 to the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 for the purpose of assisting the Speaker's Committee to discharge its statutory functions in relation to the Electoral Commission's estimates and five-year plans. The Comptroller and Auditor General reports the outcome of these studies direct to that committee.
	The remit of this study, which is approaching completion and is expected to be submitted to the Speaker's Committee in early 2007, comprises examination of actions taken to increase electoral registration and enhance completeness of the register. It will take account of considerations of electoral fraud to the extent that they are relevant to this remit.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Accession Countries

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of his letter to the hon. Member for Peterborough on accession countries referred to in his answer of 8 November 2006,  Official Report, column 1646.

John Reid: My hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Mr. Byrne) wrote to the hon. Member for Peterborough (Mr. Jackson) on 14 November regarding the impact of the Accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union. A copy of the letter has been placed in the Library for the House.

Alcohol Sales (Young People)

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there were for selling alcohol to children and young people under the age of 18 years in the Cambridgeshire Constabulary area in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: Data held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform show that since 1997 there has been one prosecution in 2004 for selling alcohol to children and young people under the age of 18 years in the Cambridgeshire police force area.
	The offence of sale of alcohol to a person aged under 18 was added to the PND scheme on 1 November 2004. Data for 2004 and 2005, and provisional data from January to June 2006, are provided in the table.
	The Home Office is seeking to eliminate underage sales, by working in partnership with alcohol retailers to develop good practice, and through enforcement by means of regular test purchase campaigns. In October 2006 the Home Office funded a national intelligence-led test purchase campaign, to monitor the extent to which good practice has been taken on board by premises that are known to have sold alcohol to minors. As a result of this latest campaign, 42 premises are currently subject to a licence review by their local authority, which could result in their licence conditions being changed.
	
		
			  Number of people issued with Penalty Notices for Disorder for sale of alcohol to a minor, in Cambridgeshire police force area, 2004 to June 2006( 1,2,3) 
			   Number issued 
			 2004 0 
			 2005 11 
			 2006(4) (January to June) 9 
			 (1) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (2) January to June 2006 is provisional. (3) Offence added to the PND scheme on 1 November 2004. (4) Provisional.  Source: RDS Office for Criminal Justice Reform.

Alcohol Sales (Young People)

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to tackle  (a) underage drinking and  (b) the use of false identification documents by under-aged youths to purchase alcohol.

Vernon Coaker: Addressing underage drinking forms a key part of the Government's Alcohol Harm Reduction strategy. Four national alcohol misuse enforcement campaigns have been conducted over the past two years funded by the Home Office. Police and other authorities have been able to develop effective tactics in dealing with alcohol-related crime and disorder. This good practice is now being embedded in core policing business.
	Through the Licensing Act 2003, we have increased the penalties on conviction for selling alcohol to minors from 1,000 to a maximum 5,000; and the court may suspend or revoke the offender's personal licence on first conviction and not on second or subsequent conviction as previously was the case. In addition, through the Violent Crime Reduction Act 2006, which received Royal Assent on the 8 November 2006, we have created a new offence of persistently selling alcohol to children if, on three or more different occasions in a period of three consecutive months, alcohol is unlawfully sold on the same premises to a person under 18. The penalty for the new offence on summary conviction would be a fine not exceeding 10,000 and, where the offender is a premises licence holder, the premises licence could be suspended for up to three months in so far as it authorises the sales by retail of alcohol.
	The Home Office is working in partnership with alcohol retailers in seeking to eliminate sales to minors, with progress being measured through test purchasing. The majority of retailers have now adopted the Think 21 approach whereby cashiers ask any customer who appears to be under 21 for identification when purchasing alcohol.
	The Home Office supports the Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) scheme, which establishes a common standard for issuing the various proof of age cards that are available. PASS accredited cards carry a secure hologram which helps retailers to identify genuine proof of age cards.

Alcohol-related Criminal Activity

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the most recent estimate used by his Department is of the annual cost to the public purse of all alcohol-related criminal activity; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 23 Nov 2006
	The Government's Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy published in 2004 provides the most recent estimate of the costs of alcohol related crime and disorder. This estimated that the overall annual cost to England and Wales of crime and antisocial behaviour linked to alcohol misuse to be some 7.3 billion. The Strategy set out the steps we would take to tackle the problems of alcohol misuse and seek to prevent any further increase in alcohol-related harms. We are committed to taking stock on delivering the recommendations in the Strategy in 2007.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter of 3 October 2006 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. N. Iftikhar.

John Reid: My hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Mr. Byrne) wrote on 21 November 2006.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter of 3 October 2006 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms F. Brown.

John Reid: My hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Mr. Byrne) wrote on 20 November 2006.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter of 3 October 2006 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Ms Zoobi Zaidi.

John Reid: My hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Mr. Byrne) wrote on 20 November 2006.

Correspondence

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his letter of 12 September 2006, Home Office Reference C1161389, when the constituent of the hon. Member for Forest of Dean will receive the refund referred to in paragraph four.

Liam Byrne: I can confirm that the constituent of the hon. Member was sent the aforementioned refund on 20 November 2006.

Correspondence

Michael Spicer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter of 12 September 2006 from the hon. Member for West Worcestershire on the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 27 November 2006
	Unfortunately there is no record of the letter of 12 September having been received in the Home Office. A copy of the letter was obtained direct from the hon. Member's office on 23 November, and a reply will be sent as soon as possible.

Crime and Disorder Partnerships

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how much funding each Crime and Disorder Partnership in Yorkshire and the Humber received from  (a) the Government,  (b) local authorities and  (c) other sources in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how much funding each local authority in Yorkshire and the Humber has granted to Crime and Disorder Partnerships in each of the last five years.

Vernon Coaker: Home Office allocations made to all Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs) in Yorkshire and The Humber since 2002-03 are set out in the tables.
	Since 2005-06, the Building Safer Communities Fund and the Anti-Social Behaviour Co-ordinators Grant have formed part of the Safer and Stronger Communities Fund.
	This is a pooled budget with contributions from the Home Office and the Department for Communities and Local Government.
	These figures exclude any funding allocated to CDRPs that has been targeted at certain areas, such as the Street Crime Initiative and the Tackling Violent Crime Programme, and any discretionary allocations made by the Regional Director. These data are not held centrally or would be available only at disproportionate cost.
	Information on any funding granted to Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships by local authorities or received from local authorities and other sources is not collected centrally.
	
		
			  Home Office contribution to the safer stronger communities fund England 2006-07 
			   Government Office for Yorkshire and HumberGovernment allocations to Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships 2002-03 
			 Safer Communities Initiative and Communities Against Drugs Funding (predecessors of Building Safer Communities Fund)
			  Region  Top Tier Authority  CDRPs included in Top Tier  Revenue  Capital  Total Revenue payable  Total Capital payable  Total payable 
			 YH Barnsley  272,224  272,224  272,224 
			 YH Bradford  677,269  677,269  677,269 
			 YH Calderdale  282,513  282,513  282,513 
			 YH Kingston upon Hull  526,328  526,328  526,328 
			 YH Doncaster  361,265  361,265  361,265 
			 YH North Yorkshire Craven 57,584  57,584  57,584 
			 YH  Hambleton 84,155  84,155  84,155 
			 YH  Harrogate 130,352  130,352  130,352 
			 YH  Richmondshire 68,240  68,240  68,240 
			 YH  Ryedale 62,371  62,371  62,371 
			 YH  Scarborough 121,401  121,401  121,401 
			 YH  Selby 84,087  84,087  84,087 
			 YH Kirklees  521,286  521,286  521,286 
			 YH Leeds  1,269,478  1,269,478  1,269,478 
			 YH NE Lincolnshire  267,610  267,610  267,610 
			 YH Rotherham  288,381  288,381  288,381 
			 YH Sheffield  685,090  685,090  685,090 
			 YH Wakefield  378,712  378,712  378,712 
			 YH East Riding  264,120  264,120  264,120 
			 YH North Lincolnshire  183,353  183,353  183,353 
			 YH York  217,837  217,837  217,837

Crime Detection (Technology)

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to publish the evaluation of the pilot project in the North East using polygraphs on a group of sex offenders.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 23 November 2006
	The final report on the pilot project, which ran from September 2003 to September 2005 in 10 probation areas, will be placed on the website of the National Probation Service shortly.

Crime Statistics

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many muggings were  (a) reported and  (b) detected in each London borough in each of the last three years; and how many prosecutions were successful in each case.

Tony McNulty: Information is not available in the form requested. 'Mugging' is not a legal term and in terms of the recorded crime statistics such offences are generally recorded under the 'Robbery of personal property' classification. Offences recorded and detected in each Basic Command Unit in the Metropolitan Police area are given in table 1.
	Court proceedings data do not distinguish between offences of robbery of personal or business property. Information taken from the Court Proceedings Database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform showing the number of defendants proceeded at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for robbery in Greater London, by court area, in 2003-05, is provided in table 2.
	Since recorded crime deals with offences and court proceedings data are based on offenders, the two sets of data are not directly comparable.
	
		
			  Table 1: offences of robbery of personal property recorded and detected in the metropolitan police service area 
			  Number of offences 
			   2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			  Basic command unit  Recorded  Detected  Recorded  Detected  Recorded  Detected 
			 Barking and Dagenham 698 76 661 82 695 116 
			 Barnet 995 132 1,132 138 1,131 108 
			 Bexley 323 45 373 35 421 77 
			 Brent 1,734 .116 2,015 144 2,247 312 
			 Bromley 750 67 657 92 816 138 
			 Camden 1,244 164 1,277 79 1,212 138 
			 City of Westminster 1,345 245 1,439 262 1,518 274 
			 Croydon 1,595 187 1,418 184 1,711 196 
			 Ealing 1,395 199 1,476 127 1,886 164 
			 Enfield 1,106 139 1,064 149 1,354 182 
			 Greenwich 953 166 1,096 141 1,145 125 
			 Hackney 2,306 164 1,854 248 1,778 228 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 1,095 111 1,340 100 1,244 110 
			 Haringey 1,775 204 1,365 127 1,919 281 
			 Harrow 591 40 669 100 828 178 
			 Havering 437 53 351 49 393 50 
			 Heathrow 5 0 5 0 7 0 
			 Hillingdon 456 77 542 59 784 83 
			 Hounslow 758 93 664 96 783 149 
			 Islington 1,274 274 1,161 271 1,307 313 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 768 69 761 79 876 85 
			 Kingston upon Thames 262 49 238 12 316 85 
			 Lambeth 3,146 240 2,922 225 2,759 321 
			 Lewisham 1,769 237 1,684 221 2,161 226 
			 Merton 528 99 419 58 587 100 
			 Newham 2,038 193 1,765 182 2,310 222 
			 Redbridge 1,098 127 1,168 126 1,249 152 
			 Richmond upon Thames 231 23 344 32 424 74 
			 Southwark 2,085 273 2,277 265 2,791 456 
			 Sutton 314 83 203 45 387 62 
			 Tower Hamlets 1,446 144 1,346 113 1,604 194 
			 Waltham Forest 1,539 149 1,714 119 2,273 210 
			 Wandsworth 1,417 176 1,407 120 1,565 156 
			 Total 37,476 4,414 36,807 4,080 42,481 5,565 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for robbery in Greater London, by court area 2003-05( 1,2) 
			   2003  2004  2005 
			  London court area  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty 
			  Inner London court areas   
			 Bow Street 67 45 79 33 44 19 
			 Camberwell Green/Tower Bridge 547 229 545 294 635 272 
			 Greenwich and Woolwich 132 50 165 76 153 60 
			 Highbury Corner 191 97 195 76 193 66 
			 Horseferry Road 165 61 117 61 144 64 
			 Marylebone   1
			 South Western 291 132 269 152 284 151 
			 Thames 444 177 438 200 433 161 
			 West London 336 132 284 128 263 114 
			 Inner London Juvenile Courts   
			
			  Other London court areas   
			 Barking and Dagenham 48 26 60 45 78 33 
			 Barnet 108 54 129 66 97 54 
			 Bexley 17 8 39 17 46 22 
			 Brent 116 84 138 78 181 93 
			 Bromley 80 50 77 34 95 60 
			 Croydon 166 74 144 88 146 91 
			 Ealing 178 83 113 72 115 63 
			 Enfield 142 48 97 61 144 69 
			 Haringey 167 80 105 59 136 78 
			 Harrow 37 19 43 25 68 35 
			 Havering 60 27 42 29 47 22 
			 Hillingdon 90 23 62 29 55 38 
			 Hounslow 52 33 84 42 73 41 
			 Kingston-upon-Thames 48 22 25 14 49 20 
			 Merton 73 39 82 57 67 41 
			 Newham 206 92 246 113 187 120 
			 Redbridge 69 43 99 46 124 61 
			 Richmond upon Thames 28 18 35 24 44 26 
			 Sutton 42 23 57 31 36 25 
			 Waltham Forest 146 59 104 65 110 47 
			 Total metropolitan police 4,046 1,828 3,874 2,015 4,047 1,946 
			 (1) These data are on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the police forces and courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  Source: RDSOffice for Criminal Justice Reform

Departmental Databases

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which databases operated by his Department are located  (a) wholly and  (b) partly outside the UK; and where each of those databases and parts of databases is located.

Liam Byrne: I am advised that there are no Home Office databases located either wholly or partly outside the UK.

Departmental Documentation

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the titles of internal guidance documents used in his Department.

Liam Byrne: The internal guidance documents for the Home Office are called 'Home Office Notices' (HONs) and provide staff with important administrative information. They are posted on the internal website every Friday at noon. White HONs explain changes in internal policy and procedure and Green HONs relate to various (specific) topics.

Departmental Expenditure

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department spent on organising and hosting press conferences in each of the last 24 months.

Liam Byrne: It is not possible to separately identify costs specifically attributable to running and hosting press conferences. They are held and managed in house at no extra cost.

Departmental Expenditure

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department has spent on electricity in  (a) 2004-05,  (b) 2005-06 and  (c) 2006-07 to date.

John Reid: The following table shows expenditure on electricity for the financial year 2004-05. Data for 2005-06 will be published shortly on the Sustainable Development Commission website. The spend to date for 2006-07 is not yet available.
	
		
			  2004-05 
			
			 Home Office(1) (excluding prisons) 3,360,523 
			 Public sector prisons 16,267,718 
			 Total 19,628,241 
			 (1) These figures relate to key buildings only.

Departmental Press Releases

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many press releases his Department issued in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: Following is a list of the press releases issued with a year by year breakdown for the last five years.
	
		
			   Number 
			  2001  
			 Home Office 331 
			 HM Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) 13 
			 HM Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIPS) 59 
			 National Association of black Police Officers (NBPA) 1 
			 National Probation Service (NPS) 2 
			 Home Office Statements 49 
			 Grand total 455 
			   
			 2002  
			 Home Office 353 
			 Criminal Justice System (CJS) 7 
			 HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) 1 
			 HMIP 7 
			 HMIPS 48 
			 Home Office Statements 52 
			 Grand total 468 
			   
			  2003  
			 Home Office 374 
			 CJS 13 
			 HMIP 11 
			 HMIPS 68 
			 UK Passport Service (UKPS) 3 
			 Home Office Statements 59 
			 Grand total 528 
			   
			  2004  
			 Home Office 402 
			 CJS 26 
			 HMIC 7 
			 HMIP 41 
			 UKPS 16 
			 Home Office Statements 57 
			 Grand total 549 
			   
			  2005  
			 Home Office 207 
			 CJS 8 
			 HMIP 51 
			 HMIPS 62 
			 HM Prisons (HMP) 54 
			 UKPS 4 
			 Home Office Statements 39 
			 Grand total 425 
			   
			  2006 (up to 21 November)  
			 Home Office 169 
			 HMIPS 66 
			 CJS 12 
			 HMIP 46 
			 HMP 19 
			 Home Office Statements 17 
			 Grand total 329

Departmental Publications

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library copies of the last 10 editions of his Departmental staff magazine.

Liam Byrne: The house magazine, Inside Track, is available via the Home Office website or by a Freedom of Information request. We plan to place copies in the House Library.

Departmental Publications

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what publications are produced by his Department for internal circulation.

Liam Byrne: Staff publications across the Department are listed as follows:
	Inside Track a paper magazine published 10 times per year (monthly apart from August/December). Distributed to around 22,000 staff in Home Office including all of Immigration and Nationality Directorate, National Offender Management Service, some parts of HM Prison Service Headquarters, and Identity and Passport Service.
	Issues a magazine for the Identity and Passport Service.
	Prison Service News a magazine available to all prison service staff.
	Special Report an electronic format for staff and stakeholders in the National Offender Management Service.
	Focus a magazine for staff in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate.
	Off the Record a monthly magazine of the Criminal Records Bureau.
	In Focus an electronic magazine for staff in the crime reduction and community safety group.

Departmental Secondments

Iain Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which staff in his Department are seconded from organisations with charitable status; and have  (a) costs and  (b) salaries met (i) in part and (ii) in whole (A) from public funds and (B) by the charity from which they are seconded.

Liam Byrne: Secondments form part of the Interchange initiative which encourages the exchange of skills, knowledge and best practice between the civil service and other organisations. Attachments of less than three months are not recorded centrally.
	There are currently two recorded secondees into the Home Office from organisations with charitable status, one from Advice UK and one from NCH Scotland. In both cases salaries and costs are met in full from public funds.

Departmental Statistics

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which statistics have been put forward by his Department for consideration to become new national statistics in each of the last five years; and how many statistics sets his Department has produced in total in each of the last five years.

Liam Byrne: The current list of National Statistics produced by the Home Department can be found on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/about/ns_ons/nsproducts/default.asp
	The titles of each of the statistical products put forward each year by Ministers in the Home Department for designation as 'National Statistics'all of which were accepted as suchare shown as follows:
	 2004-05
	Statistics on deaths reported to coroners, England and Wales. (Moved to the Department of Constitutional Affairs (DCA) in 2005-06)
	Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals: Great Britain
	Statistics on Offences Brought to Justice
	 2005-06
	Age disputed asylum applicationsnew table which has been added to the regular annual publication Asylum Statistics United Kingdom
	A list of changes to the scope of National Statistics (additions and withdrawals) in each of the last five years can be found on the relevant National Statistics annual report available on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=1051
	A precise count of all the statistics produced by the Home Department is not currently available. This is because of the difficulty of identifying which figures out of the mass of numerical information produced by the Department in a variety of media should be defined as 'statistics' in the sense referred to in this PQ.
	In addition to National Statistics, the Home Department publishes a wide range of other numerical information in a variety of forms including other data produced from the management and administration of the Department and in research reports. There is no consistent definition of the term statistics sets and there is currently no centrally held information on the total published in each year on this basis.

Detention Centre (Bassetlaw)

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration his Department has given to the provision of a community building and allotments at the site of the former detention centre at Gringley on the Hill in Bassetlaw.

Liam Byrne: The Department, in applying for an outline Town Planning consent for the former detention centre site at Gringley, has through its agents, been in discussion with the local community and the parish council. We understand there to be local support for a new community hall and allotments on the site. The Home Office is also aware of the need expressed for affordable housing and for highway works.
	The application is before Bassetlaw district council whose decision on whether the proposal is acceptable and what should be included in any Planning obligation to the developer, should be based on national and local Planning policy and guidance.

DNA Database

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will break down by police force and ethnic origin the number of those who have a DNA profile on the National DNA Database.

Joan Ryan: The information requested will be placed in the Library.

DNA Database

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a record is kept on the National DNA Database of the initial offence for which a person whose details are on the database was arrested.

Joan Ryan: The National DNA Database (NDNAD) does not hold any information regarding the type of offence for which a person is arrested and their DNA sample taken. The NDNAD only holds demographic details such as a person's name, sex, date of birth, ethnic appearance, the sampling force details, the kit barcode number and the arrest summons number. The offence details will be recorded on the Police National Computer (PNC).

DNA Database

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding the National DNA database has received from the Government in each of the last five years.

Joan Ryan: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Norwich, North (Dr. Gibson) today (PQ 101221).

DNA Database

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have their DNA profile stored on the National DNA Database; and what proportion of these people are from each ethnic minority background.

Joan Ryan: The information requested is shown in the table which gives a breakdown of the number of Subject Sample DNA Profiles on the National DNA Database by ethnic appearance for all forces.
	
		
			  Number of subject sample DNA Profiles on the National DNA Database for all forcesby ethnic appearance of subject 
			  Ethnic appearance  Total subject profile count  Individuals count using 11 per cent. replication rate  Percentage breakdown 
			 Unknown 443,633 394,833 10.44 
			 Afro-Caribbean 302,225 268,980 7.11 
			 Arab 27,681 24,636 0.65 
			 Asian 197,122 175439 4.64 
			 Dark Skinned European 75,967 67,611 1.79 
			 Oriental 20,838 18,546 0.49 
			 White Skinned European 3,183,272 2833112 74.89 
			 Total subject profile count for all forces 4,250,738 3,783,157  
			  Notes: 1. The data cover forces in England and Wales, Scottish forces, the Police Service for Northern Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey, the Ministry of Defence Police etc. 2. The figures given in column 2 are the number of DNA subject sample profiles held on the Database as at 20 November 2006. This is due to samples being taken from some individuals on more than one occasion (i.e. due to replicate sampling). It is estimated that the current level of replication is about 11 per cent. 3. The figures given in column 3 are the estimated number of individuals on the National DNA Database. 4. It should be noted that no data on ethnic appearance are recorded for approx 10 per cent. of samples.

DNA Database

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many misclassifications have resulted from the use of the DNA database.

Joan Ryan: There are no false or inaccurate records on the National DNA Database (NDNAD) that we are aware of. The NDNAD's Supplier Accreditation section carries out continuous quality monitoring of forensic suppliers. Data may become available which indicate that a DNA profile is incorrect but attributed to the right person (i.e. there has been an error in deriving the profile number stored on the NDNAD from the biological sample); or that a DNA profile is correct but attributed to the wrong person (i.e. the samples and personal details have somehow been switched). If we have reason to believe there is inaccuracy in any record, that record is suspended on the Database pending an investigationthe outcome of which is that the record may be reinstated unchanged, or amended, or deleted.

DNA Database

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost of maintaining the DNA database has been in each year of its operation.

Tony McNulty: The following table gives the costs, over the years 2002-03 to 2005-06, for the two key areas of National DNA Database (NDNAD) activity: NDNAD Services and Supplier Accreditation. NDNAD Services activity is concerned with the day to day operation of the NDNAD, for example loading DNA profiles, delivery of match reports, and handling of inquiries (principally from police forces and forensic suppliers). The costs also include maintenance of the NDNAD IT system as well as business support, including accommodation. Supplier Accreditation activity is concerned with the accreditation of the forensic supplier laboratories that analyse police DNA submissions, and thus supply DNA profiles to the NDNAD.
	This accreditation involves scrutinising prospective new suppliers to the Database as well as continuous quality monitoring of existing suppliers. Data are not available for years before 2002-03, as in the past the costs of the NDNAD were tightly bound in with other costs incurred by the Forensic Science Service. The process of clearly drawing out these costs was fully resolved as part of the process of separating the NDNAD custodian from the FSS, which was completed in December 2005, when the FSS was vested as a Government owned company and the NDNAD transferred from the FSS to the Home Office. These figures do not include payments made to police forces under the DNA expansion programme which ran from 2000 to 2005, to enable them to retrieve more samples from scenes of crime and to take samples from more individuals.
	
		
			   2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 NDNAD Services costs 774,304 904,385 1,276,823 1,245,151 
			 Supplier Accreditation costs 320,507 388,047 433,828 459,192 
			 Total 1,094,811 1,292,432 1,710,651 1,704,343

Dr. David Wynn-Williams

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what investigations were conducted by the police into the death of Dr. David Wynn-Williams on 24 March 2002; and whether anyone was  (a) arrested and  (b) prosecuted in connection with his death.

Tony McNulty: I understand that following the death of Dr. Wynn-Williams Cambridgeshire Constabulary undertook an investigation, as a result of which the Crown Prosecution Service determined that a prosecution was appropriate and the driver of one of the vehicles involved was summonsed for causing death by dangerous driving and driving without due care and attention. The person concerned was convicted of driving without due care and attention and fined 1,000, disqualified from driving for two years and required to re-sit the driving test.

Drink-Driving

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many breathalyser tests were carried out by police officers in each year since 2003, broken down by police authority; and what proportion were found to be positive in each area.

Tony McNulty: The information requested can be found in the Home Office statistical publication Motoring Offences and Breath Test Statistics, England and Wales 2004, issue 05/06, table 21.
	Copies of the above publication are available in the Library. The publication can also be downloaded from the Home Office RDS website, link attached:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs06/hosb0506.pdf.
	2005 data will be available in 2007.

Fireworks

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many fixed penalty notices were issued in  (a) England and Wales and  (b) each London borough for (i) letting off or throwing fireworks in any highway, street or thoroughfare or public place, (ii) possession of adult fireworks in a public place by those aged under the age of 18 years, (iii) possession of a category 4 firework and (iv) breaching the curfew time for the use of fireworks in each of the last five years.

Tony McNulty: The penalty notice for disorder (PND) scheme was rolled out to all police forces in England and Wales during the 2003-04 financial year, under the provisions of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. Under the scheme, the police are able to issue penalty notices to offenders for a range of minor disorder offences including a number of fireworks offences, some of which did not become part of the scheme until October 2004. No admission of guilt is required and the PND recipient discharges all liability for the offence and receives no criminal record if the penalty is paid.
	Data on the number of PNDs issued in the Metropolitan police force area as well as England and Wales for the years 2004, 2005 and provisional data from January to June 2006, are provided in the following table. Data are only available broken down by police force and therefore a London borough breakdown is not available.
	
		
			  Number of PNDs issued to offenders aged 16 and over for fireworks offences Metropolitan police force area, 2004, 2005 and 2006 January-June provisional data( 1,2) 
			  Police force area  DA05 Throwing fireworks  DA13 Breach of fireworks curfew( 2)  DA14 Possession of category 4 firework( 2)  DA15 Possession by a person under 18 of adult firework( 2) 
			  Metropolitan police 
			 2004 25  1  
			 2005 78 1  1 
			 2006(3) 25 1 1 1 
			  England and Wales 
			 2004 177 12 12 20 
			 2005 642 33 13 47 
			 2006(3) 232 11 6 3 
			 (1) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.  (2 )Became offences within the PND scheme on 11 October 2004.  (3 )January to June provisional.  Source:  RDSOffice for Criminal Justice Reform.

Fixed Penalty Notices/Disorder Notices

Geoffrey Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what types of  (a) fixed penalty notices and  (b) notices for disorder have been issued in the last five years.

Tony McNulty: Information on fixed penalty notices issued for endorsable and non-endorsable motoring offences by offence groups can be found in the annual Home Office publication 'Offences relating to motor vehicles, England and Wales, Supplementary tables'Tables 20(a) to 20(c) refer. Copies are available in the Library. They can also be accessed on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics website at
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/motor1.html
	Data are also collected centrally on the disposal, (i.e. paid, fine registration certificate issued etc) of fixed penalty notices issued. However because of the time taken for the procedures for payment to be enforced the data are collected approximately nine months later than the period of issue.
	Tables 21 (a) and 21 (b) of the above publication details data by number and percentage of fixed penalty notices by result for the previous year.
	Data on the number of PNDs issued in 2004, 2005 and provisional data for 2006, broken down by police force area and offence, are placed in the House Libraries.
	Data on the number of fixed penalty notices issued for environmental offences are available via the below link on the DEFRA website.
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/localenv/legislation/fpn/

Gender Equality

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to carry out gender impact assessments of his Department's major policy developments and new legislation.

Liam Byrne: From April 2007, my Department will carry out gender impact assessments of major policy developments and new legislation in line with the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (Public Authorities) (Statutory Duties) Order 2006 (No. 2930). We shall refer to Equal Opportunities Commission's (EOC) Code of Practice on the Gender Equality Duty and their specific guidance when available.

Halliburton

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many private finance initiative and public private partnership contracts with his Department and its agencies have been won by Halliburton or its subsidiaries in each year from 1997; what the terms of each contract were; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: From the best information available, the Department has no such contracts.

Hampshire Probation Board

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the ability of the incoming Hampshire Probation Board to maintain continuity when dealing with  (a) the implementation of new legislation to replace local probation boards with trusts,  (b) budget pressures,  (c) additional requirements for the contracting out of probation services and  (d) promoting public trust and confidence in the ability of the service to protect the public and reduce reoffending rates; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: During the planning phase for the current board member and chair recruitment, the previous skills and competencies by which the existing boards were recruited have been extensively rewritten with a view to making them more relevant to an environment of Public Value Partnerships and a mixed economy. It was against these skills and competencies that all candidates were assessed and ultimately short listed.
	The revised competencies focus on skills acquired within public, private and not for profit organisationspeople management, financial management, strategic management, operational management and corporate management.
	All successful board chairs have been invited to attend a two day induction event on corporate governance on 6 and 7 December 2006.
	A number of day long training sessions on key issues affecting the work of the board chairs will be delivered on a monthly basis from February 2007. These events will include topics such as financial and resource management, performance management, public promotion of probation, public protection, budget management, etc. A major theme will be the transition from board to trust status and how probation will operate in this new environment. Chief officers who are ex-officio members of boards are the accountable officers in terms of budgets and also have responsibility for all operational matters including public protection. The new board chairs have a key ambassadorial role for their board and this will be developed in the programme outlined above.
	There are plans to organise an induction seminar and ongoing training events for new board members. This will be arranged in early-mid 2007. There will also be induction exercises at the local board and regional level

Heavy Hitter Programme

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the  (a) purpose and  (b) cost was of the Heavy Hitter Programme Delivery Director service deployed in his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The purpose of the heavy hitter programme is to provide high calibre, experienced, people to oversee IT projects that are crucial to the success of the wider Government IT programme.
	The cost to date is 590,943.93.
	
		
			  Consultant  Supplier  Invoice number  Net ()  Gross ()  Period 
			 Mike Mackay Cabinet Office/OGC   268,137.00 October 2005 to October 2006 
			 Andrew Ross Cabinet Office Inv-018607 33,333.33 39,166.66 September 2005 
			 Andrew Ross Cabinet Office Inv-018777 26,666.66 31,333.33 October to November 2005 
			 Andrew Ross Cabinet Office Inv-018821 13,333.33 15,666.66 December 2005 
			 Andrew Ross Cabinet Office Inv-019014 13,333.33 15,666.66 January 2006 
			 Andrew Ross Cabinet Office Inv-019140 13,333.33 15,666.66 February 2006 
			 Andrew Ross Cabinet Office Inv-109638 16,683.33 19,602.91 March 2006 
			 Andrew Ross Cabinet Office Inv-109649 16,683.33 19,602.91 April 2006 
			 Andrew Ross Cabinet Office Inv-019648 16,683.33 19,602.91 May 2006 
			 Andrew Ross OGC 005485 45,600.00 53,580.00 June to July 2006 
			 Andrew Ross OGC 005556 26,468.54 31,100.53 August 2006 
			 Andrew Ross OGC 005615 24,706.57 29,030.22 September 2006 
			 Andrew Ross OGC 005711 27,904.24 32,787.48 October 2006 
			 Total  -  590,943.93

Heavy Vehicle Recovery

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what rules apply to the administration of heavy vehicle recovery schemes where local police constabularies make arrangements to recover lorries at the roadside.

Tony McNulty: Police powers to arrange for the removal or recovery of vehicles are provided for by Section 99 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and associated regulations. The regulations also set the charges which the police can levy for removals which they order. A vehicle has to be released once the prescribed charge has been paid.
	The removal and recovery of vehicles including heavy vehicles such as lorries is an important routine activity for all police forces. They normally use contracted recovery operators to act on their behalf. Police contracts require operators to provide a guaranteed speedy response, to have specialist equipment, secure storage facilities and an efficient administration department. The detailed arrangements between individual police forces and vehicle recovery operators is a contractual matter between the parties involved.

Human Trafficking

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate his Department has made of the number of  (a) willing and  (b) unwilling participants in human trafficking entering the UK illegally, broken down by nationality.

Vernon Coaker: Research and police intelligence on the scale and nature of trafficking in human beings suggests that there has been an increase in the trafficking problem over the last two or three years, however it remains difficult to make an accurate assessment of the scale of the problem. The majority of our knowledge regarding the situation in the UK centres on trafficking for sexual exploitation.
	The majority of trafficked victims originate from eastern Europe and the Balkans, or from the far east (China and Thailand). Recently the UK has seen a growing trend in victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation being brought to the UK from within the EU, in particular from Lithuania. Although violence and force are often encountered in trafficking cases, evidence suggests that in the initial stages the vast majority of victims who are brought to the UK are not actually kidnapped or forced into moving here, but instead are recruited by deception. The personal freedom of the trafficked victim is severely limited and they are often controlled through the removal of their documentation, unrealistic debt-bonds, threats of violence against them or their families and in the worst cases actual physical, sexual and/or emotional abuse.

Human Trafficking

Alan Reid: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to respond to the consultation on proposals for a UK action plan to tackle human trafficking.

Vernon Coaker: The public consultation exercise on the proposed UK action plan was launched on the 5 January 2006 and the consultation period ended on the 5 April this year. We published a summary of responses on the 21 June. The responses will be considered in the course of developing a final UK action plan on human trafficking which we aim to publish early next year.

Identity Cards/Passports

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with which Government departments and agencies biometric records held by his Department are shared.

Joan Ryan: Biometric records held by the Home Office are shared with the following outside departments and agencies:
	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	UK Visas
	Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority
	Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs
	Department for Work and Pensions
	Biometric records are also shared with police forces and other UK law enforcement agencies. It is also made available to forensic service providers acting on behalf of these forces and law enforcement agencies.

Immigration (EEA) Regulations 2006

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether those granted residence under the 2005 Spanish immigration amnesty qualify as EEA nationals under the Immigration (EEA) Regulations 2006.

Liam Byrne: The UK Government understand that the Spanish Government's regularisation exercise granted a one year's residence permit to immigrants who met the specified criteria, and not Spanish nationality. These were internal Spanish decisions and nationals of countries outside the European economic area (EEA) who have the right to reside in EEA countries, such as Spain, do not have a treaty right of free movement. They do not qualify as EEA nationals under the Immigration (EEA) Regulations 2006.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average cost per caller to the Immigration and Nationality Directorate number 0870 606 7766 was in each year the number has been in operation.

Liam Byrne: Information on call charges and revenue for phone number 0870 606 7766 is available for the following yearsJanuary 2003 to December 2005.
	The average cost to caller has been calculated on the basis of dividing the number of calls answered in a year by the total cost to callers. This will provide an average. Clearly some calls last longer than the average and some are less than the average.
	Average cost figures have been rounded up/down to the nearest penny.
	
		
			   Number of calls answered  Cost to callers ()  Average cost per caller (pence) 
			  January to December
			 2003 893,398 549,821 62 
			 2004 1,047,593 616,763 59 
			 2005 1,138,756 712,601 63

Immigration Service

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces have signed memoranda of understanding with the Immigration Service agreeing to hold detainees of the Immigration Service when needed; and how many Immigration Service detainees were held in police cells in each police force in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: IND works closely with the police and are grateful for their support in tackling immigration abuse.
	The arrangements for holding people on immigration matters are usually the subject of local agreements between police forces and immigration operational units, rather than formal Memorandum of Understanding. All police forces generally will hold detainees for the Immigration Service, and many of those held have first been arrested by the police for other matters.
	Information on the number of detainees held, and the breakdown by police force area, is not collected centrally.

Legislation

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the name was of each bill being worked on or drafted by his Department on 1 September.

Tony McNulty: The Home Office bills in the legislative programme were announced at the time of the Queen's Speech.

National Probation Service

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what level was achieved in each of the 10 categories in the Investors in People profile in the most recent assessment testing the National Probation Service against the Investors in People accreditation framework.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Not all probation boards have Investors in People status. It will be a highly complex exercise to try to extract the details required for the 42 areas.
	The National Probation Service is not an entity, but a composite of 42 separate probation boards who are bodies corporate in their own right.
	A number of probation areas have Investors in People status or a Charter Mark equivalent.

Network of Buddhist Organisations

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his Department's list of organisations consulted on religious issues, what assessment he has made of the extent to which the Network of Buddhist Organisations is representative of that faith's adherents; and if he will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The Home Office has made no such assessment. The Network of Buddhist Organisations is just one of the Buddhist organisations that the Home Office consults with.

Operation Safeguard

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent on holding prisoners in police cells under Operation Safeguard in each police force area since the operation began.

Tony McNulty: The National Offender Management Service has agreed with the Association of Chief Police Officers that police forces can submit invoices up to 12 weeks in arrears during the period that Operation Safeguard is activated and three months from the end of the operation. We have not yet received any invoices and are therefore unable to calculate the exact total cost per police force.

Parliamentary Questions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department has a traffic light system in place for processing parliamentary questions, where questions are categorised using a colour code.

Tony McNulty: As part of the Home Secretary's public commitment to improve the way the Home Office fulfils its obligations to Parliament, a weekly traffic light system has been developed that identifies those questions which are overdue back to Parliament. This categorisation is based on the date the question was tabled and will allow the Permanent Secretary and Ministers to review performance on a weekly basis.

Passports

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the time that his Department holds people's passports in  (a) cases of citizenship applications and  (b) applications for indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

Liam Byrne: The information is as follows:
	 (a) Nationality casework consideration processes have been extensively reviewed to minimise delays and significant progress has been made. The length of time passports are held before being returned to the applicant has significantly reduced from more than 14 months in 200-01 to less than four months in 2005-06
	 (b) The time taken to process applications for indefinite leave to remain, which includes the time in which people's passports are held, is measured against published service standards which are presently being broadly met. These service standards and performance are shown on the Immigration and Nationality Directorate website at:
	www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/6353/11464/servicestandardsjuly.xls

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the arrangements are for the payment of pensions to people who retire early through ill-health for each pension scheme for which his Department is responsible; what the incidence of ill-health retirement was as a percentage of all retirement for such schemes in each year since 1988-89; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the rate of ill-health retirement is for each public sector pension scheme for which his Department is responsible; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: A police authority may medically retire an officer if he or she is assessed by a medical practitioner selected by the authority to be permanently disabled for the ordinary duties of a member of the force. An officer who is a contributing member of either the Police Pension Scheme 1987 or the Police Pension Scheme 2006 and who has two years' qualifying service at the time of retirement will receive an ill-health pension which is index-linked and payable immediately.
	The ill-health pension under the Police Pension Scheme 1987, to which most officers belong, is based on the pension rights the officer has accrued up to retirement, but where the officer has at least five years' pensionable service the pension will be enhanced to compensate at least in part for the additional service he or she was unable to go on to complete.
	The Police Pension Scheme 2006, which applies to those who have joined the police service on or after 6 April this year, provides two levels of ill-health pension: a standard ill-health pension which is not enhanced and is payable to those who are permanently disabled for the ordinary duties of a member of the force but who can undertake other regular employment, and an enhanced top-up pension, which is payable in addition to the standard pension where the officer is also assessed as permanently disabled for all regular employment.
	Information about the rate of ill-health retirement for police officers is not available in the form requested for all the years that the hon. Member has asked for. A table follows with information from 1990-91 to 2004-05. From 2001-02 the rate of ill-health retirement has not been recorded as a percentage of the number of retirements but as a proportion of the number of officers in service, expressed in terms of ill-health retirements per 1,000 officers. This is a more stable measure since the number of ordinary retirements is liable to change from year to year. The figures show a very clear downward trend which started in the mid 1990sfrom 2,587 ill-health retirements in 1994-95 to 405 in 2004-05. The rate of reduction has been given added impetus following the Police Negotiating Board Agreement of 2002 which resulted in the issue of joint guidance to forces in 2003 on the better management of ill-health. The effective management of ill-health continues to be a priority for the police service. Improvements in sickness management and rehabilitation and better incentives for making appropriate use of ill health retirement (e.g. by introducing more than one tier of ill-health benefits) have been a key part of public service reform.
	
		
			  Police officer medical retirements (FTE) 
			   Percentage of medical retirements of all retirements  Number of medical retirements per 1,000 officers in service 
			 1990-91 62  
			 1991-92 62  
			 1992-93 60  
			 1993-94 53  
			 1994-95 53  
			 1995-96 46  
			 1996-97 45  
			 1997-98 38  
			 1998-99 39  
			 1999-2000 31  
			 2000-01 31 9.8 
			 2001-02  8.8 
			 2002-03  6.2 
			 2003-04  3 
			 2004-05  3 
			  Notes: 1. This table contains full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. 2. Percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number.

Police

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cold cases are under examination by the police.

Tony McNulty: We are unable to give exact numbers of cold cases that are currently under examination by the police. However since February 2004, the Police Standards Unit in the Home Office has been working closely with police forces assisting with the forensic review of undetected serious sexual assaults and rapes from the late eighties through to the late nineties, by applying the latest scientific technology to historic forensic samples and submitting the results to the police forces concerned. To date, this national programme of workOperation Advancehas involved the review of 9615 forensic case files, of which 1387 were suitable for forensic review and 395 were identified as suitable for reinvestigation by the police forces concerned. Operation Advance is an ongoing programme of work; the work has already resulted in the conviction of 22 offenders and with more awaiting trial. This work and the good practice and practical advice generated as a result have been seen by many police forces as a catalyst to create their own cold case review teams and we are confident that as many as 17 police forces have already done so and as a result are reviewing their own historic as yet unsolved cases of rape and serious sexual assault and in most cases homicide. The Home Office are committed to promoting the value of cold case reviews not least because this work is all about victimsit is about bringing justice, relief, 'closure' and freedom from fear to victims of the most horrendous crimes, often after many years. The vast majority of the offenders identified and convicted in this work have proved to be persistent, prolific and dangerous criminals with criminal convictions stretching back many years. Bringing these individuals to justice has undoubtedly prevented them from committing many more crimes in the future.

Police

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pages of documentation on average a police officer is required to fill in to process a burglary at each stage from first report to conviction; and if he will place in the Library specimens of such documentation.

Tony McNulty: It is a matter for chief officers to determine local processes.

Police

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department has spent on the series on community policing Beat: Life On The Street.

Liam Byrne: The cost of producing the series of six half hour episodes was 350,000.

Police

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) police officers and  (b) civilian police staff there were in each police authority area in each of the last 10 years; and what the percentage change was (i) in each year and (ii) over the 10 year period in each category.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 20 November 2006
	The available data are contained in the following tables.
	
		
			  Police officer strength( 1 ) (FTE)( 2 ) by police force as at 31 March 1996 to 31 March 2006 
			  Police force  1996  % change over previous year  1997( 3)  % change over previous year  1998  % change over previous year  1999  % change over previous year 
			 Avon and Somerset 2,981  2,989 0.26 2,976 -0.43 2,999 0.79 
			 Bedfordshire 1,128  1,094 -3.02 1,079 -1.38 1,041 -3.45 
			 Cambridgeshire 1,238  1,302 5.16 1,291 -0.82 1,274 -1.31 
			 Cheshire 1,998  2,046 2.38 2,042 -0.18 2,071 1.41 
			 Cleveland 1,420  1,459 2.74 1,483 1.66 1,416 -4.58 
			 Cumbria 1,115  1,144 2.56 1,164 1.75 1,126 -3.22 
			 Derbyshire 1,763  1,791 1.56 1,772 -1.03 1,759 -0.76 
			 Devon and Cornwall 2,899  2,865 -1.19 2,962 3.39 2,887 -2.52 
			 Dorset 1,263  1,284 1.66 1,310 2.02 1,279 -2.36 
			 Durham 1,401  1,461 4.25 1,515 3.72 1,568 3.50 
			 Essex 2,884  2,961 2.65 2,928 -1.09 2,891 -1.30 
			 Gloucestershire 1,133  1,133 -0.01 1,104 -2.53 1,104 0.02 
			 Greater Manchester 6,938  6,922 -0.24 6,949 0.39 6,810 -2.00 
			 Hampshire 3,347  3,452 3.12 3,490 1.10 3,473 -0.46 
			 Hertfordshire 1,712  1,759 2.75 1,740 -1.09 1,724 -0.93 
			 Humberside 2,041  2,045 0.19 2,021 -1.16 1,974 -2.32 
			 Kent 3,120  3,260 4.49 3,251 -0.28 3,201 -1.54 
			 Lancashire 3,171  3,248 2.43 3,257 0.28 3,245 -0.38 
			 Leicestershire 1,908  1,949 2.12 1,983 1.76 1,993 0.51 
			 Lincolnshire 1,145  1,196 4.53 1,191 -0.45 1,140 -4.32 
			 London, City of 869  859 -1.21 825 -3.96 778 -5.68 
			 Merseyside 4,411  4,230 -4.09 4,216 -0.33 4,211 -0.13 
			 Metropolitan Police 27,343  26,677 -2.43 26,094 -2.19 26,073 -0.08 
			 Norfolk 1,401  1,432 2.19 1,430 -0.14 1,381 -3.37 
			 Northamptonshire 1,153  1,177 2.08 1,169 -0.70 1,137 -2.71 
			 Northumbria 3,668  3,677 0.25 3,769 2.49 3,840 1.89 
			 North Yorkshire 1,324  1,338 1.06 1,367 2.18 1,337 -2.21 
			 Nottinghamshire 2,318  2,323 0.24 2,323 -0.03 2,225 -4.22 
			 South Yorkshire 3,073  3,159 2.78 3,182 0.74 3,168 -0.44 
			 Staffordshire 2,209  2,211 0.10 2,292 3.66 2,238 -2.38 
			 Suffolk 1,138  1,174 3.19 1,186 1.01 1,190 0.37 
			 Surrey 1,644  1,620 -1.48 1,608 -0.69 1,662 3.32 
			 Sussex 3,074  3,085 0.37 2,996 -2.89 2,847 -4.97 
			 Thames Valley 3,674  3,695 0.57 3,776 2.18 3,748 -0.73 
			 Warwickshire 979  926 -5.43 924 -0.19 908 -1.77 
			 West Mercia 2,017  2,040 1.16 2,010 -1.50 2,025 0.75 
			 West Midlands 7,145  7,113 -0.45 7,156 0.60 7,321 2.31 
			 West Yorkshire 5,142  5,209 1.30 5,155 -1.04 4,982 -3.35 
			 Wiltshire 1,219  1,154 -5.31 1,156 0.18 1,151 -0.46 
			 Dyfed-Powys 991  1,005 1.36 1,002 -0.22 1,026 2.39 
			 Gwent 1,044  1,243 19.12 1,233 -0.82 1,247 1.16 
			 North Wales 1,378  1,369 -0.65 1,396 1.97 1,391 -0.36 
			 South Wales 3,027  2,976 -1.69 2,986 0.35 2,981 -0.16 
			 Total England and Wales 124,844  125,051 0.17 124,756 -0.24 123,841 -0.73 
		
	
	
		
			  Police force  2000  % change over previous year  2001( 4)  % change over previous year  2002  % change over previous year  2003  % change over previous year 
			 Avon and Somerset 2,934 -2.18 2,994 2.04 3,096 3.41 3,149 1.71 
			 Bedfordshire 1,028 -1.25 1,036 0.71 1,069 3.23 1,106 3.46 
			 Cambridgeshire 1,237 -2.95 1,296 4.81 1,362 5.07 1,384 1.62 
			 Cheshire 2,011 -2.89 2,002 -0.42 2,059 2.82 2,119 2.91 
			 Cleveland 1,404 -0.85 1,407 0.23 1,461 3.86 1,582 8.28 
			 Cumbria 1,084 -3.73 1,048 -3.37 1,100 5.01 1,140 3.64 
			 Derbyshire 1,777 1.04 1,823 2.59 1,848 1.38 2,003 8.39 
			 Devon and Cornwall 2,841 -1.59 2,934 3.28 3,053 4.04 3,202 4.88 
			 Dorset 1,306 2.10 1,354 3.68 1,381 1.99 1,416 2.53 
			 Durham 1,558 -0.64 1,595 2.37 1,614 1.21 1,651 2.29 
			 Essex 2,806 -2.94 2,897 3.24 2,946 1.70 2,989 1.46 
			 Gloucestershire 1,114 0.91 1,173 5.27 1,183 0.87 1,227 3.72 
			 Greater Manchester 6,795 -0.23 6,909 1.69 7,217 4.45 7,343 1.75 
			 Hampshire 3,419 -1.56 3,438 0.54 3,480 1.23 3,668 5.40 
			 Hertfordshire 1,767 2.49 1,922 8.81 1,825 -5.06 1,957 7.23 
			 Humberside 1,932 -2.15 1,917 -0.77 2,058 7.35 2,105 2.28 
			 Kent 3,204 0.10 3,319 3.57 3,355 1.10 3,487 3.93 
			 Lancashire 3,179 -2.04 3,255 2.40 3,304 1.51 3,339 1.06 
			 Leicestershire 1,993 0.01 2,032 1.96 2,100 3.32 2,114 0.67 
			 Lincolnshire 1,115 -2.15 1,202 7.85 1,198 -0.37 1,221 1.92 
			 London, City of 732 -5.98 703 -3.90 764 8.68 808 5.76 
			 Merseyside 4,085 -3.00 4,081 -0.08 4,125 1.07 4,099 -0.63 
			 Metropolitan Police 25,485 -2.26 24,878 -2.38 26,223 5.40 27,984 6.72 
			 Norfolk 1,381 -0.01 1,420 2.80 1,468 3.39 1,499 2.11 
			 Northamptonshire 1,117 -1.76 1,157 3.58 1,214 4.93 1,210 -0.33 
			 Northumbria 3,788 -1.35 3,857 1.82 3,929 1.87 3,943 0.36 
			 North Yorkshire 1,283 -4.04 1,305 1.71 1,417 8.58 1,444 1.91 
			 Nottinghamshire 2,204 -0.92 2,275 3.21 2,330 2.42 2,411 3.48 
			 South Yorkshire 3,163 -0.17 3,197 1.07 3,199 0.08 3,183 -0.50 
			 Staffordshire 2,170 -3.04 2,129 -1.90 2,133 0.21 2,202 3.23 
			 Suffolk 1,145 -3.76 1,133 -1.12 1,203 6.21 1,253 4.16 
			 Surrey 1,785 7.42 2,066 15.72 1,992 -3.57 1,906 -4.32 
			 Sussex 2,822 -0.86 2,855 1.16 2,893 1.32 2,989 3.32 
			 Thames Valley 3,740 -0.20 3,703 -1.00 3,762 1.59 3,833 1.89 
			 Warwickshire 900 -0.90 926 2.99 969 4.59 997 2.89 
			 West Mercia 1,887 -6.81 1,951 3.39 2,018 3.45 2,256 11.79 
			 West Midlands 7,194 -1.72 7,423 3.18 7,681 3.47 7,751 0.91 
			 West Yorkshire 4,822 -3.20 4,815 -0.15 4,889 1.53 5,029 2.86 
			 Wiltshire 1,118 -2.88 1,120 0.24 1,157 3.26 1,158 0.09 
			 Dyfed-Powys 1,040 1.30 1,055 1.43 1,132 7.35 1,149 1.50 
			 Gwent 1,264 1.33 1,274 0.85 1,333 4.60 1,341 0.60 
			 North Wales 1,403 0.86 1,444 2.92 1,506 4.29 1,539 2.19 
			 South Wales 2,926 -1.86 3,154 7.81 3,222 2.14 3,239 0.53 
			 Total England and Wales 121,956 -1.52 123,476 1.25 127,267 3.07 131,426 3.27 
		
	
	
		
			  Police force  2004  % change over previous year  2005  % change over previous year  2006  % change over previous year  % overall change 
			 Avon and Somerset 3,401 8.00 3,384 -0.50 3,389 0.15 13.69 
			 Bedfordshire 1,181 6.78 1,215 2.88 1,198 -1.40 6.23 
			 Cambridgeshire 1,400 1.16 1,402 0.14 1,430 2.00 15.50 
			 Cheshire 2,177 2.74 2,186 0.41 2,174 -0.55 8.81 
			 Cleveland 1,687 6.64 1,676 -0.65 1,677 0.06 18.07 
			 Cumbria 1,222 7.19 1,232 0.82 1,230 -0.16 10.31 
			 Derbyshire 2,070 3.34 2,070 0.00 2,046 -1.16 16.05 
			 Devon and Cornwall 3,283 2.53 3,369 2.62 3,493 3.68 20.49 
			 Dorset 1,433 1.20 1,450 1.19 1,485 2.41 17.58 
			 Durham 1,685 2.06 1,718 1.96 1,699 -1.11 21.27 
			 Essex 3,098 3.65 3,190 2.97 3,279 2.79 13.68 
			 Gloucestershire 1,284 4.65 1,291 0.55 1,289 -0.15 13.80 
			 Greater Manchester 8,042 9.52 8,041 -0.01 7,959 -1.02 14.72 
			 Hampshire 3,706 1.04 3,725 0.51 3,707 -0.48 10.75 
			 Hertfordshire 2,086 6.59 2,104 0.86 2,126 1.05 24.18 
			 Humberside 2,213 5.13 2,230 0.77 2,224 -0.27 8.97 
			 Kent 3,576 2.55 3,586 0.28 3,599 0.36 15.35 
			 Lancashire 3,550 6.32 3,551 0.03 3,583 0.90 12.99 
			 Leicestershire 2,277 7.71 2,283 0.26 2,250 -1.45 17.91 
			 Lincolnshire 1,228 0.57 1,221 -0.57 1,213 -0.66 5.98 
			 London, City of 853 5.57 876 2.70 869 -0.80 -0.06 
			 Merseyside 4,122 0.56 4,317 4.73 4,269 -1.11 -3.22 
			 Metropolitan Police 29,735 6.26 30,710 3.28 30,536 -0.57 11.68 
			 Norfolk 1,510 0.73 1,544 2.25 1,557 0.84 11.14 
			 Northamptonshire 1,239 2.40 1,267 2.26 1,317 3.95 14.22 
			 Northumbria 4,040 2.46 4,048 0.20 3,983 -1.61 8.59 
			 North Yorkshire 1,529 5.89 1,543 0.92 1,636 6.03 23.56 
			 Nottinghamshire 2,484 3.03 2,502 0.72 2,477 -1.00 6.87 
			 South Yorkshire 3,279 3.02 3,265 -0.43 3,255 -0.31 5.92 
			 Staffordshire 2,266 2.91 2,280 0.62 2,272 -0.35 2.86 
			 Suffolk 1,304 4.07 1,313 0.69 1,300 -0.99 14.26 
			 Surrey 1,913 0.37 1,915 0.10 1,922 0.37 16.92 
			 Sussex 3,039 1.67 3,044 0.16 3,092 1.58 0.60 
			 Thames Valley 4,034 5.24 4,114 1.98 4,229 2.80 15.11 
			 Warwickshire 1,008 1.10 1,011 0.30 1,032 2.08 5.41 
			 West Mercia 2,355 4.39 2,367 0.51 2,351 -0.68 16.57 
			 West Midlands 7,887 1.75 8,056 2.14 8,097 0.51 13.32 
			 West Yorkshire 5,275 4.89 5,631 6.75 5,644 0.23 9.76 
			 Wiltshire 1,217 5.09 1,222 0.41 1,219 -0.25 0.00 
			 Dyfed-Powys 1,160 0.96 1,174 1.21 1,182 0.68 19.27 
			 Gwent 1,372 2.31 1,438 4.81 1,467 2.02 40.58 
			 North Wales 1,603 4.16 1,652 3.06 1,617 -2.12 17.34 
			 South Wales 3,279 1.23 3,281 0.06 3,263 -0.55 7.80 
			 Total England and Wales 137,105 4.32 139,495 1.74 139,633 0.10 11.85 
			 (1) This table contains full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Because of rounding, there my be an apparent discrepancy between totals and the sums of the constituent items. (2) Full-time equivalent includes those on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave. (3) Boundary changes on 1 April 1996 transferred resources for the policing of the Rhmney Valley from South Wales Police to Gwent Police. (4) Boundary changes on 1 April 2000 transferred some resources from the Metropolitan Police to Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey police forces. 
		
	
	
		
			  Police staff strength( 1 ) (FTE)( 2)  by police force as at 31 March 1996 to 31 March 2006 
			  Police force  1996  % change over previous year  1997( 3)  % change over previous year  1998  % change over previous year  1999( 4)  % change over previous year 
			 Avon and Somerset 1,213  1,438 18.57 1,393 -3.18 1,424 2.28 
			 Bedfordshire 472  484 2.58 523 7.92 483 -7.58 
			 Cambridgeshire 530  607 14.53 574 -5.44 586 2.16 
			 Cheshire 690  735 6.62 781 6.21 785 0.52 
			 Cleveland 553  609 10.14 586 -3.77 552 -5.80 
			 Cumbria 408  451 10.66 451 0.04 442 -2.11 
			 Derbyshire 656  723 10.30 787 8.85 818 3.94 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1,121  1,159 3.43 1,186 2.29 1,215 2.45 
			 Dorset 621  615 -0.92 651 5.95 702 7.80 
			 Durham 531  583 9.90 557 -4.55 559 0.36 
			 Essex 1,130  1,199 6.14 1,252 4.43 1,273 1.60 
			 Gloucestershire 415  435 4.77 423 -2.79 504 19.34 
			 Greater Manchester 2,749  2,612 -4.98 2,661 1.86 2,623 -1.42 
			 Hampshire 1,323  1,316 -0.56 1,331 1.16 1,381 3.74 
			 Hertfordshire 754  818 8.59 831 1.51 835 0.52 
			 Humberside 683  718 5.20 789 9.83 840 6.52 
			 Kent 1,141  1,384 21.27 1,470 6.24 1,582 7.63 
			 Lancashire 1,349  1,126 -16.57 1,143 1.53 1,198 4.84 
			 Leicestershire 667  755 13.15 774 2.56 802 3.61 
			 Lincolnshire 442  521 17.90 541 3.83 517 -4.42 
			 London, City of 324  347 7.07 334 -3.60 314 -6.17 
			 Merseyside 1,560  1,343 -13.93 1,502 11.89 1,356 -9.74 
			 Metropolitan Police 14,372  13,493 -6.11 12,432 -7.86 11,257 -9.46 
			 Norfolk 529  603 13.94 646 7.21 648 0.29 
			 Northamptonshire 511  554 8.32 577 4.25 587 1.65 
			 Northumbria 1,319  1,365 3.49 1,362 -0.18 1,443 5.94 
			 North Yorkshire 520  519 -0.12 543 4.51 541 -0.36 
			 Nottinghamshire 979  1,003 2.44 987 -1.64 1,039 5.33 
			 South Yorkshire 1,418  1,291 -8.99 1,243 -3.68 1,273 2.40 
			 Staffordshire 754  763 1.19 866 13.51 1,004 16.00 
			 Suffolk 485  522 7.63 583 11.73 594 1.79 
			 Surrey 754  727 -3.65 743 2.30 733 -1.38 
			 Sussex 1,131  1,149 1.52 1,185 3.16 1,393 17.56 
			 Thames Valley 1,738  1,825 5.01 1,827 0.09 1,799 -1.54 
			 Warwickshire 376  376 -0.09 398 5.88 406 2.17 
			 West Mercia 964  942 -2.24 975 3.45 975 0.06 
			 West Midlands 2,780  2,739 -1.49 2,817 2.85 2,652 -5.84 
			 West Yorkshire 2,037  2,234 9.71 2,304 3.14 2,216 -3.83 
			 Wiltshire 453  475 4.97 519 9.28 555 6.92 
			 Dyfed-Powys 310  322 4.04 341 5.78 341 0.24 
			 Gwent 378  452 19.74 477 5.49 487 2.12 
			 North Wales 512  476 -7.13 479 0.74 508 6.05 
			 South Wales 1,287  1,206 -6.30 1,132 -6.07 1,223 7.99 
			 NCS   275  
			 NCIS(7)   291  
			 Total England and Wales 52,933  53,011 0.15 52,975 -0.07 53,031 0.11 
		
	
	
		
			  Police force  2000  % change over previous year  2001( 5)  % change over previous year  2002  % change over previous year  2003( 6)  % change over previous year 
			 Avon and Somerset 1,436 0.78 1,452 1.13 1,611 10.97 1,785 10.83 
			 Bedfordshire 490 1.37 491 0.25 524 6.79 595 13.44 
			 Cambridgeshire 503 -14.17 614 22.18 733 19.24 786 7.26 
			 Cheshire 823 4.79 833 1.31 884 6.11 1,008 13.97 
			 Cleveland 595 7.71 586 -1.45 626 6.82 694 10.86 
			 Cumbria 469 6.19 588 25.25 631 7.41 676 7.03 
			 Derbyshire 826 0.98 875 5.93 953 8.96 1,061 11.25 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1,343 10.53 1,453 8.18 1,639 12.80 1,834 11.90 
			 Dorset 686 -2.26 682 -0.59 741 8.57 793 7.06 
			 Durham 590 5.71 566 -4.18 660 16.75 602 -8.81 
			 Essex 1,348 5.94 1,447 7.32 1,571 8.61 1,682 7.05 
			 Gloucestershire 484 -4.05 506 4.45 545 7.77 590 8.23 
			 Greater Manchester 2,822 7.59 2,858 1.27 3,135 9.72 3,173 1.20 
			 Hampshire 1,443 4.52 1,482 2.67 1,597 7.78 1,720 7.71 
			 Hertfordshire 890 6.55 935 5.13 1,121 19.79 1,299 15.89 
			 Humberside 840 0.02 808 -3.84 816 0.95 880 7.85 
			 Kent 1,647 4.10 1,796 9.03 1,958 9.03 2,095 7.01 
			 Lancashire 1,422 18.67 1,369 -3.70 1,442 5.32 1,489 3.29 
			 Leicestershire 805 0.32 806 0.19 816 1.18 934 14.53 
			 Lincolnshire 516 -0.25 561 8.78 600 6.96 641 6.83 
			 London, City of 285 -9.08 233 -18.39 247 5.97 268 8.54 
			 Merseyside 1,458 7.54 1,418 -2.76 1,532 8.03 1,752 14.36 
			 Metropolitan Police 10,605 -5.79 10,040 -5.32 10,459 4.17 11,358 8.60 
			 Norfolk 655 1.01 694 5.92 819 18.04 924 12.89 
			 Northamptonshire 599 2.13 694 15.78 742 6.92 812 9.50 
			 Northumbria 1,417 -1.81 1,416 -0.09 1,403 -0.92 1,457 3.89 
			 North Yorkshire 492 -8.97 591 20.08 743 25.60 723 -2.70 
			 Nottinghamshire 1,024 -1.43 1,039 1.44 1,087 4.57 1,180 8.61 
			 South Yorkshire 1,391 9.25 1,312 -5.64 1,352 3.04 1,510 11.69 
			 Staffordshire 858 -14.55 935 8.94 1,030 10.15 1,146 11.30 
			 Suffolk 600 0.96 621 3.64 692 11.42 713 3.03 
			 Surrey 762 3.95 897 17.67 1,043 16.32 1,245 19.36 
			 Sussex 1,328 -4.71 1,454 9.53 1,507 3.62 1,578 4.73 
			 Thames Valley 1,786 -0.69 1,891 5.89 2,061 8.98 2,412 16.99 
			 Warwickshire 394 -2.94 412 4.40 459 11.54 503 9.55 
			 West Mercia 1,043 7.00 1,095 4.95 1,116 1.94 1,233 10.46 
			 West Midlands 2,695 1.63 2,819 4.61 3,007 6.65 3,012 0.17 
			 West Yorkshire 2,199 -0.80 2,228 1.32 2,364 6.11 2,538 7.36 
			 Wiltshire 563 1.49 622 10.45 649 4.30 703 8.24 
			 Dyfed-Powys 359 5.23 401 11.73 459 14.25 502 9.48 
			 Gwent 498 2.22 537 7.85 570 6.27 607 6.47 
			 North Wales 519 2.17 498 -4.10 645 29.51 703 9.04 
			 South Wales 1,081 -11.63 1,270 17.50 1,435 13.02 1,366 -4.79 
			 NCS 352 27.96 367 4.41 405 10.15 524 29.46 
			 NCIS(7) 287 -1.37 398 38.50 482 21.26   
			 Total England and Wales 53,227 0.37 54,588 2.56 58,909 7.92 63,105 7.12 
		
	
	
		
			  Police force  2004( 6)  % change over previous year  2005( 6)  % change over previous year  2006( 6)  % change over previous year  % overall change 
			 Avon and Somerset 2,004 12.24 2,005 0.05 2,080 3.74 71.45 
			 Bedfordshire 668 12.32 713 6.74 759 6.45 60.74 
			 Cambridgeshire 838 6.63 832 -0.72 898 7.93 69.53 
			 Cheshire 1,149 14.02 1,137 -1.04 1,170 2.90 69.68 
			 Cleveland 764 10.02 748 -2.09 697 -6.82 25.97 
			 Cumbria 705 4.34 730 3.55 732 0.27 79.50 
			 Derbyshire 1,131 6.63 1,165 3.01 1,109 -4.81 69.18 
			 Devon and Cornwall 1,926 5.04 2,034 5.61 2,082 2.36 85.74 
			 Dorset 823 3.78 881 7.05 918 4.20 47.95 
			 Durham 600 -0.37 736 22.67 733 -0.41 38.17 
			 Essex 1,876 11.55 1,968 4.88 1,968 0.00 74.16 
			 Gloucestershire 642 8.88 663 3.27 694 4.68 67.23 
			 Greater Manchester 3,452 8.80 3,303 -4.32 3,352 1.48 21.94 
			 Hampshire 1,865 8.43 1,965 5.36 2,099 6.82 58.65 
			 Hertfordshire 1,408 8.41 1,414 0.43 1,489 5.30 97.56 
			 Humberside 979 11.27 1,034 5.62 1,097 6.09 60.68 
			 Kent 2,267 8.21 2,228 -1.72 2,292 2.87 100.89 
			 Lancashire 1,683 13.00 1,715 1.90 1,764 2.86 30.76 
			 Leicestershire 1,007 7.82 1,033 2.58 1,079 4.45 61.77 
			 Lincolnshire 657 2.51 678 3.20 677 -0.15 53.24 
			 London, City of 285 6.43 298 4.52 314 5.41 -3.09 
			 Merseyside 1,855 5.89 2,126 14.61 2,207 3.81 41.47 
			 Metropolitan Police 12,595 10.89 13,561 7.67 13,836 2.03 -3.73 
			 Norfolk 973 5.28 984 1.13 1,064 8.13 101.07 
			 Northamptonshire 874 7.64 973 11.33 1,010 3.80 97.65 
			 Northumbria 1,495 2.56 1,491 -0.25 1,665 11.67 26.25 
			 North Yorkshire 864 19.51 928 7.45 1,039 11.96 99.78 
			 Nottinghamshire 1,285 8.88 1,318 2.57 1,385 5.08 41.46 
			 South Yorkshire 1,583 4.83 1,729 9.22 1,853 7.17 30.68 
			 Staffordshire 1,255 9.52 1,325 5.58 1,305 -1.51 73.19 
			 Suffolk 789 10.61 813 3.04 853 4.92 75.82 
			 Surrey 1,352 8.62 1,472 8.88 1,541 4.69 104.38 
			 Sussex 1,811 14.77 1,950 7.69 1,994 2.24 76.23 
			 Thames Valley 2,620 8.65 2,611 -0.34 2,782 6.55 60.07 
			 Warwickshire 525 4.33 590 12.38 609 3.22 61.95 
			 West Mercia 1,391 12.80 1,492 7.26 1,563 4.76 62.19 
			 West Midlands 3,100 2.92 3,143 1.38 3,300 5.00 18.71 
			 West Yorkshire 2,776 9.39 3,016 8.65 3,183 5.54 56.30 
			 Wiltshire 764 8.74 811 6.16 851 4.93 88.03 
			 Dyfed-Powys 523 4.16 531 1.53 566 6.59 82.88 
			 Gwent 629 3.58 688 9.38 749 8.87 98.41 
			 North Wales 849 20.79 867 2.12 882 1.73 72.27 
			 South Wales 1,453 6.34 1,510 3.92 1,543 2.19 19.94 
			 NCS 603 15.08   779   
			 NCIS(7) 1   
			 Total England and Wales 68,693 8.86 71,209 3.66 74,563 4.71 40.86 
			 (1) Civilian Staff have been referred to as Police Staff since March 2003. Figures exclude Traffic Wardens, Police Community Support Officers and Designated Officers (s.38). (2) Total Strength is based on full-time equivalent figures that have been rounded to the nearest whole number, because of rounding there may be an apparent discrepancy between these totals and the totals in other tables. Figures exclude those staff on career breaks or maternity/paternity unless otherwise stated. (3) Boundary changes on 1 April 1996 transferred resources for the policing of the Rhmney Valley from South Wales Police to Gwent Police. (4) The National Crime Intelligence Service (NCIS) and the National Crime Squad (NCS) were established and set up as independent bodies by the Police Act 1997 effective as of 1st April 1998. (5) Boundary changes on 1 April 2000 transferred some resources from the Metropolitan Police to Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey police forces. (6) Strength figures as at 31 March 2003 onwards include those staff on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave. Therefore these figures are not comparable with those provided for other years in the table. (7) NCIS were unable to provide figures as at 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004.

Prisons

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners escaped while being transferred between prisons in each year since 2000.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The following table shows the number of escapes in England and Wales, recorded by the inter prison transfer contractor, for each year from April 2000:
	
		
			   Number of escapes 
			 2000 1 
			 2001 2 
			 2002 0 
			 2003 0 
			 2004 0 
			 2005 0 
			 2006 (to date) 1

Prisons

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many women in each prison in England and Wales have home addresses in Wales.

Gerry Sutcliffe: There is insufficient information recorded on the prison IT system relating to the residential addresses of prisoners to give a comprehensive response, and it could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Prisons

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which prisons are officially overcrowded.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Prisons are considered to be overcrowded when prisoners are held in accommodation units intended for fewer prisoners. At the end of October 2006, the following establishments in England and Wales were overcrowded. Information on prisons in Scotland and Northern Ireland are the responsibility of the Scottish Executive and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
	 Overcrowded prisons at the end of October 2006 in England and Wales
	Altcourse
	Ashwell
	Bedford
	Belmarsh
	Birmingham
	Blakenhurst
	Blundeston
	Brinsford
	Bristol
	Brixton
	Buckley Hall
	Bullingdon
	Camp Hill
	Canterbury
	Cardiff
	Channings Wood
	Chelmsford
	Coldingley
	Cookham Wood
	Dartmoor
	Doncaster
	Dorchester
	Dovegate
	Durham
	Eastwood Park
	Erlestoke
	Everthorpe
	Exeter
	Featherstone
	Forest Bank
	Garth
	Glen Parva
	Gloucester
	Guys Marsh
	Haverigg
	High Down
	Highpoint
	Holme House
	Hull
	Isle of Sheppey Cluster
	Lancaster
	Lancaster Farms
	Leeds
	Leicester
	Lewes
	Lincoln
	Littlehey
	Liverpool
	Low Newton
	Lowdham Grange
	Maidstone
	Manchester
	Moorland
	Mount
	New Hall
	Northallerton
	Norwich
	Nottingham
	Parc
	Parkhurst
	Pentonville
	Preston
	Ranby
	Reading
	Risley
	Shepton Mallet
	Shrewsbury
	Stafford
	Stocken
	Stoke Heath
	Styal
	Swansea
	Usk\Prescoed
	Verne
	Wandsworth
	Wayland
	Wealstun
	Wetherby
	Whatton
	Winchester
	Wolds
	Woodhill
	Wormwood Scrubs
	Wymott

Prisons

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have  (a) committed suicide and  (b) attempted to commit suicide in each of the last 10 years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The information requested with respect to apparent self-inflicted deaths is shown in the table.
	There is no definition of what constitutes an attempted suicide, as it is very difficult to measure suicidal intent.
	
		
			   Type of death: Self-inflicted( 1) 
			 1996 65 
			 1997 68 
			 1998 83 
			 1999 91 
			 2000 81 
			 2001 73 
			 2002 95 
			 2003 94 
			 2004 95 
			 2005 78 
			 2006 (at 22 November 2006) 61 
			 (1 )Number of apparent self-inflicted deathsthis includes all deaths where it appears the individual acted specifically to take their own life, not only those that received a suicide or open verdict at inquest.  Note: Annual numbers may change slightly from time to time as inquest verdicts and other information become available.

Prisons

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many instances of prisoner against prisoner acts of violence were recorded in the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The information requested is provided in the table.
	Assaults in custody range from relatively minor ones where no injuries are sustained to very serious ones where the victim may be hospitalised and criminal charges follow. Assaults, particularly less serious ones, may also occur in the context of other incidents such as drug finds, etc. The information provided here reflects those incidents specifically reported as assaults by prisons on the Prison Service's Incident Reporting System.
	There are likely to be a number of different factors influencing the figures and it is not possible to attribute the changes to a single cause. The main reasons may be some combination of improved recording over the years, changes in the patterns of violent crime, population pressures placing extra burdens on staff and prisoners, and increases in stress-levels making violence more likely.
	
		
			   Assault category: Prisoner on prisoner 
			 2000 7,189 
			 2001 7,940 
			 2002 8,699 
			 2003 8,954 
			 2004 9,411 
			 2005 10,811 
			  Notes:  Table 1: IRS reported assaults 1. The table excludes assaults instigated by others e.g. visitors on staff. 2. These numbers are derived from the Prison Service Incident Reporting System (IRS). This systems processes high volumes of data and is being constantly updated. The numbers shown give a fair indication of the scale but should not be treated as absolute.

Prisons

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many deaths have occurred in prisons within the Metropolitan Police District in each year since 2000.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 23 November 2006,  Official Report, column 234W.

Prisons

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many escapes have occurred from prisons within the Metropolitan Police District in each year since 2000.

Tony McNulty: The information requested by the hon. Member is given in the following table.
	
		
			  Escapes from prison in the Metropolitan Police district area in each year since 2000 
			  Prison  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006( 1) 
			 Belmarsh
			 Brixton   1 
			 Feltham  1  
			 Holloway
			 Latchmere House
			 Pentonville 1   
			 Wandsworth
			 Wormwood Scrubs
			 (1) Year to date  Note: The figures show escapes from establishments and exclude those under escort. Year to date figures include up to 22 November 2006.

State Opening

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many uniformed military personnel were posted in the Westminster area for the State Opening of Parliament on 15 November 2006.

Adam Ingram: I have been asked to reply.
	The royal and ceremonial duties that London district personnel undertake throughout each year fall into two categories. The first is public duties which includes routine ceremonial guarding and the second is that of state ceremonial which involves regular annual parades such as the State Opening of Parliament.
	The number of uniformed military personnel posted/assigned to the State Opening of Parliament held on 15 November 2006 was 70 officers and 1,110 soldiers(1). It is difficult to calculate the number posted into the actual Westminster area as the definition of area is too broad a reference. However an estimate would be approximately 15 officers and 300 soldiers.
	(1) In accordance with departmental guidance figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.

State Opening

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many undercover police were posted to the Westminster area for the state opening of Parliament on 15 November 2006.
	(2)  how many uniformed police were posted to the Westminster area for the State Opening of Parliament on 15 November 2006.

Tony McNulty: The operational arrangements for policing of the State Opening of Parliament are the responsibility of the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.

Terrorism

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Get Safe Online website in protecting the public from e-terrorism.

Patrick McFadden: I have been asked to reply.
	Get Safe Online gives independent, authoritative advice and information on how to keep safe whilst being able to reap the many benefits of the Internet.
	Research carried out last December identified 75 per cent., of people who were aware of the get safe online campaign said they would back-up their systems whilst only 50 per cent. of those who were unaware would take any action, demonstrating the initiative's effectiveness in protecting the public from online threats.

Westminster City Council

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will renew the Invest to Save funding for Westminster City Council.

Liam Byrne: The Invest to Save Budget is held and administrated by Treasury and exists to provide funding to help innovative projects get off the ground. ISB funding is explicitly time-limited and is not intended to sustain a project over the long-term.

Yarl's Wood

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times the Minister for Immigration has visited Yarl's Wood detention centre in the last 12 months.

John Reid: My hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East (Mr. McNulty) visited Yarl's Wood once in 2005. My hon. Friend for Birmingham, Hodge Hill (Mr. Byrne) has plans to visit in the near future.

Young Asylum Seekers

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what process the Government will use to assess risk of trafficking in developing the returns programme for unaccompanied children who have been refused asylum; and if he will consult non-governmental organisations in the UK in developing this programme.

Liam Byrne: If an unaccompanied child makes an application for asylum or humanitarian protection in the UK the asylum caseworker will assess whether there is a real risk of either persecution for a 1951 Refugee Convention reason or of serious harm in the country of return. If their applications for asylum and humanitarian protection are refused children will only be returned where safe and adequate reception arrangements exist and an assessment of each case has been carried out. We will always give proper regard to a child's welfare in performing immigration functions. We are currently reviewing our policy on the return of unaccompanied asylum seeking children whose applications have been refused. In formulating our policy we will continue to consult non-governmental organisations.